2001 Barolo Castelletto

The 2001 Barolo Castelletto shows the least finesse and complexity of Veglio’s 2001s, but it has also aged quite well. Even though the Castelletto is a big, muscular wine, it also appears to be maturing at a faster rate than the other 2001s. Typical Castelletto balsamic notes, truffles, tar, licorice and spices are woven into the dense finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. Mauro Veglio’s 2001 Baroli have held up nicely. At the time, Veglio gave his Baroli quick fermentations/macerations of 4-5 days and aged the wines in 60-70% new French oak barrels. Importer: T. Edward Wines, New York, NY; tel. (212) 233-1504

The estate's 2001 Barolo Castelleto, made from a vineyard in Monforte, is an an intense and powerful wine, with aromas of spices and plenty of very rich, decadent fruit and mineral flavors. Although quite compact for now it may ultimately merit a higher and potentially Outstanding.score if the structure fills out.

Good full red. Highly complex nose combines dark raspberry, roasted herbs, olive, menthol and underbrush. Sweet and silky in the mouth, with insidious dark fruit flavors. Quite suave and pinot-like in texture. The granular, dusty tannins arrive earlier than those of the Gattera. But this is longer and younger. The '99 version of this bottling was muscular in a Serralunga way, but this and the '00 are altogether more graceful.