Wine Enthusiast 95
"Pressed rose, crushed mint, new leather and wild berry aromas slowy take shape in the glass. Full-bodied and youthfully austere, the firmly structured palate features ripe Marasca cherry, strawberry compote and star anise alongside noble tannins that need to time to unwind. Best 20272032."

Vinous Media 94
"The 2017 Barolo Castellero offers so many of the attributes that make the Fenocchio Barolos so appealing. Bold and savory, with terrific balance, the Castelletto expresses all of the energy that make wines from this Monforte site so intriguing. Sweet red cherry, white pepper, orange peel and sage are some of the many aromas and flavors that emerge over time.-- Antonio Galloni"

James Suckling 94
"Walnut, dried-strawberry and burnt orange-peel aromas follow through to a full body with round tannins and a chewy finish. This is very structured and powerful. Try after 2024."

The Wine
In its first year of production as Castellero cru (these grapes previously went into the Barolo Classico), the vineyard is located between Bussia and Cannubi (next to Sandrones cantina). 70 of vines are 45 years old, 30 have been replanted and are 10-12 years old. After 40 days of maceration, aged 6 months in tank and 30 months in large Slavonian oak casks.

The Estate
Five generations of Fenocchios have been producing wine from their holdings in the heart of the Bussia in Monforte dAlba since 1894. Most of the production was sold locally up until 1964, when the ambitious and energetic Giacomo Fenocchio took over for the estate. His goal was to make the finest wines in all of Barolo, so he purchased prime parcels in some of the best crus in the Langhe including Villero in Castiglione Falletto and Cannubi.

Today, Giacomos son Claudio has taken over winemaking duties for the estate, continuing his fathers tradition of making pristine wines from the greatest vineyards in Barolo. Use whichever word you want, minimalist, traditionalist, non-interventionist, all that matter is that Claudios wines exhibit a level of terroir clarity that is only found in the top echelon of producers. If youre looking for the next star winemaker in Italy, look no further. Just recently, The New York Times rated Fenocchio number 2 in a tasting of Barolos coming behind only Elio Altare and ahead of Elio Grasso, Massolino, and Vietti. Claudio manages some 7 hecatres of vineyards in Barolo, Castiglione Falletto and of course, the Bussia of Monforte. Total average annual production is about 3,000 cases.

With prices that frankly do not come close to approximating the astronomical quality of the wines, its painfully obvious that Fenocchio should be on the radar of Barolo lovers everywhere.

Farming Practice:Sustainable