Rocche di Castiglione is a famous vineyard area of the Castiglione Falletto district.
This low ridge lies in a protected place, and vines ripen earlier than average. With its sandier soils and aspect toward the morning sun, though, the wines are aromatically expressive and finessed. It's a relatively more open wine at an early stage (depending on the vitnage): they're typically approachable at the 6 to 8-year mark, though they age wonderfully. It tends toward a cocktail of red fruits, both ripe and crisp, licorice or anise, and aromatic balsam top notes (rather than heavy and resinous).
KERIN O'KEEFE 96 POINTS - "The vibrant 2017 Rocche di Castiglione has balsamic aromas of camphor that mingle with new leather, violet, white truffle and wild berry. Showing class and a great depth of flavor, the smooth, structured palate is already accessible, delivering juicy black cherry, orange zest, licorice, mint and earthy notes recalling the same white truffle note from the nose. An almost salty, mineral note signals the close while velvety tannins provide polished support. Bright acidity keeps it energized and balanced. Drink 2024–2032. Abv: 14% Kerin O’Keefe August 2023 ©kerinokeefe.com"
WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "Roagna has its modern winery, with most of the structure underground, at the foot of the Castiglione Falletto village at the center of the appellation. Made with fruit grown around the corner, the 2017 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione (with 2,680 bottles released) offers a sharp and linear presentation with crisp berry fruit, crushed stone, rose and licorice root. This is one of the most expressive vineyard sites in the appellation, I find. The wine ferments in oak over two months with submerged cap and then ages for five long years in a combination of oak cask and cement."
KERIN O'KEEFE 96 POINTS - "The vibrant 2017 Rocche di Castiglione has balsamic aromas of camphor that mingle with new leather, violet, white truffle and wild berry. Showing class and a great depth of flavor, the smooth, structured palate is already accessible, delivering juicy black cherry, orange zest, licorice, mint and earthy notes recalling the same white truffle note from the nose. An almost salty, mineral note signals the close while velvety tannins provide polished support. Bright acidity keeps it energized and balanced. Drink 2024–2032. Abv: 14% Kerin O’Keefe August 2023 ©kerinokeefe.com"
WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "Roagna has its modern winery, with most of the structure underground, at the foot of the Castiglione Falletto village at the center of the appellation. Made with fruit grown around the corner, the 2017 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione (with 2,680 bottles released) offers a sharp and linear presentation with crisp berry fruit, crushed stone, rose and licorice root. This is one of the most expressive vineyard sites in the appellation, I find. The wine ferments in oak over two months with submerged cap and then ages for five long years in a combination of oak cask and cement."
