Riserva della Castellana Barolo Marchesi di Barolo 1960
The 1960 Riserva della Castellana Barolo is a Denominazione di Origine Controllata red wine produced by Marchesi di Barolo. The name of this specific release draws inspiration from ancient chronicles, which tell of Piedmontese castles possessing a secret cellar for their rarest wines, accessible by a single key held only by the "Castellana" (the lady of the castle). According to the producer, this wine was aged for twenty years and sourced from their ancient vineyards. It was bottled at 13% alcohol in a 720ml format.
Marchesi di Barolo is considered the historical cradle of the modern Barolo wine. The estate is deeply connected to the Falletti family, who in the early 19th century created the style of wine known today as Barolo. Marquise Giulia Falletti Colbert, originally French and also known as Juliette Colbert, along with her husband Carlo Tancredi Falletti, transformed the local wine production from a sweet style into a dry red wine. The appellation itself is named after these former owners. After the Falletti dynasty ended without heirs in 1864, the estates were transferred to the Opera Pia Barolo charity. In 1929, the Abbona family purchased the historic cellars, and the estate is currently managed by the fifth and sixth generations, Ernesto, Anna, and Valentina Abbona. Today, the estate manages 110 hectares, including 45 hectares of their own vineyards, featuring prestigious parcels such as 4.5 hectares in Cannubi, 6.5 hectares in Sarmassa, and Coste di Rose. Remarkably, five of Marchesa Giulia's original oak barrels from the 1800s remain in active use in the cellar.
The wine originates from the Barolo area, located in the Langhe hills southwest of Alba within the Piemonte region. Piemonte, meaning "at the foot of the mountain," is situated in northwestern Italy and is surrounded by the Alps. The region is characterized by dramatic, steep hills that are frequently enveloped in thick autumn morning fog, which protects the grapes and facilitates a long ripening period. The 1960 vintage in this region is recorded as a difficult year. The wine is made entirely from Nebbiolo, an Italian top grape known for producing elegant wines with great structure, which is predominantly cultivated in Barolo, Barbaresco, and the wider Piemonte region.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Piedmont
Piedmont (which literally means "at the foot of the mountain") is located in northwestern Italy, surrounded by the Alps. It is considered one of the world's absolute most prestigious wine regions. The area is known for small, passionate, family-run wineries and a huge focus on terroir (how the soil and microclimate affect the wine).
Classic characteristics of Piedmont:
The royal wines: This is where the world-famous, complex and expensive red wines Barolo and Barbaresco come from (both made from 100% Nebbiolo).
Everyday heroes: In addition to Nebbiolo, the region is famous for the grapes Barbera (juicy, acidic and incredibly popular) and Dolcetto (dark, soft and fruity).
The white and sweet: Piedmont also makes the crisp white wine Gavi and the famous, lightly sparkling dessert bubbles Moscato d'Asti.
The landscape: Dramatic, steep hills – especially in the Langhe sub-area. The hills are often shrouded in thick morning mist in autumn, which protects the grapes and allows for a long, perfect ripening.
Gastronomy: An absolute mecca for food lovers. The area is world famous for the exclusive white truffles from Alba, hazelnuts and rich, simmered dishes that scream with a glass of local red wine.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
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