During a short weekend in Autumn in Langhe, I finally had the chance to visit Rocche Costamagna winery, a historical producer of the Barolo D.O.C.G. that owns vineryards in the La Morra and Verduno municipalities.
The vineyards owned by the winery in La Morra municipality lie on a 3.5 hectares plot, at an altitude between 310 and 350 metres, with south-east aspect and they are part of one of the most famous Barolo’s Crus, Rocche dell’Annunziata. The soil is made up of layers of blue-gray marl and clay belonging to the geological formation called “Marne di Sant’Agata Fossili”, formed between 11 and 7 million years ago. The only grape variety grown here is Nebbiolo.
In the municipality of Verduno, the company vineyard is part of the Geographical Mention called Neirane and covers an area of about 3 hectares. The soil is mostly marl with the presence of sand, characterised by a base of rocks (limestone, marble and chalk) on which karstic sinkholes have developed. The grape variety cultivated here is mainly Barbera.
It has been a long time that Rocche Costamagna has decided to go on the virtuous path of a sustainable viticulture and in the near future it is planning to manage the vineyards organically, reducing sprays and choosing the use of copper and sulphur for the treatments.
The visit reached its peak thanks to the tasting in the historic eighteenth-century cellars, which in addition to a well-kept tasting room, also houses a Biblioteca Libri da Gustare: an exceptional collection of gastronomical books made up of over 3,500 volumes.
Barbera d’Alba D.O.C. – 2018
Barbera 100%
The winemaking process takes place with a maceration for 5-6 days, in temperarture controlled stainless-steel tanks at 26°C. Part of the wine then matures in French oak barriques.
- Look: clear, ruby red colour.
- Smell: medium intensity and complexity with floral, red fruit aromas (cherry) and oak aromas (vanilla) due to the maturation.
- Taste: fresh and mineral with medium tannin medium body with a medium finish.
- Pairing: agnolotti alla piemontese.
Rocche delle Rocche – Barbera d’Alba D.O.C.– Superiore – 2017
Barbera 100%
The grapes are a selection of the vineyards in the Verduno municipality. This wine is made only in the best vintages. The winemaking process takes place with a maceration for one week in temperarture controlled stainless-steel tanks at 26°C. The wine then matures in French oak barriques (first and second fill) for 10 months.
- Look: clear, intense ruby red colour.
- Smell: pronounced aroma intensity but still developing, with black fruit aromas (black cherry, brumble), oak aromas (vanilla) due to the maturation.
- Taste: medium (+) body, medium (+) acidity with mineral notes, silky medium (+) tannin, medium (+) finish.
- Pairing: roasted turkey.
Barolo D.O.C.G. – Rocche dell’Annunziata – 2016
Nebbiolo 100%
The grapes come exclusively from the “Rocche dell’Annunziata” vineyard. The fermentation takes place only with indigenous yeast, the maceration lasts for about 2 weeks in controlled temperature stainless-steel tanks at 26°C with frequent pumping over. The wine then ages for 24 months in 2,000 to 3,000 litre Slavonian oak barrels.
- Look: clear, ruby red colour with hints of garnet.
- Smell: pronounced and complex, with floral (violet), fruity (cherry, raspberry, plum) and liquorice.
- Taste: medium (+) body, elegant and smooth, medium (+) tannin, long finish.
- Pairing: tajarin with ragù from Langhe.
Bricco Francesco – Barolo D.O.C.G. – Rocche dell’Annunziata – Riserva – 2013
Nebbiolo 100%
This wine is made only in the greatest vintages. It is named after Francesco Costamagna, ancestor of the current owners. The grapes come from the highest area of the vineyard, with the best aspect. The fermentation takes place only with indigenous yeast, with the maceration lasting for about 18 days in controlled temperature stainless-steel tanks at 26°C with frequent pumping over. The wine then ages for 5 years of which 30 months are in 2,000 to 3,000 litre Slavonian oak barrels.
- Look: clear, ruby red colour with hints of garnet.
- Smell: pronounced and definitely complex, with floral, fruity (red fruit), chocolate and herbal aromas.
- Taste: full bodied, smooth and elegant, high velvety tannin, very long finish.
- Pairing: beef fillet with truffle.
Producer: Rocche Costamagna
