- Nebbiolo from 0.4 hectares of Castellero, nestled between Bussia and Cannubi
- 280 meters elevation
- Soil of marl, tuff, and a notable composition of sand
- Vines have an average age of 40 years
- 40 days spontaneous fermentation and maceration
- Aged 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks prior to bottling
- 330 cases produced annually
- 2011 was the first vintage of this as a single vineyard expression; prior to that it went into the Barolo classico.
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2020
Country:
Italy
Region:
Piedmont
Appellation:
Barolo
Variety:
Nebbiolo
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Sustainable
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | IT-FEN-21-20 | 12/750ml |
Press & Reviews
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2024-05-16
"Ripe cherries and raspberries with hints of ground spices, beeswax and crushed stones. Medium- to full-bodied with firm, tightly wound tannins. Structured and focused. Lingering finish. Try after 2027."
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
93
Date
2024-04-01
"Red berry, hazelnut, new leather and ground clove aromas come to the forefront on the fragrant 2020 Castellero from Giacomo Fenocchio. The full-bodied palate starts off with succulent Morello cherry and crushed raspberry before notes of bitter orange, ground clove and a sanguine note of rusty iron appear on the mid-palate. Tight, close-grained tannins offer firm support."
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2024-01-04
"Fenocchio's 2020 Barolo Castellero is floral, savory and full of energy. Crushed flowers, herbs, mint and spice meld into a core of dark red cherry/plum fruit. This mid-weight, classy Barolo is all charm. Soft contours add to its immediacy and overall appeal."
Wine Enthusiast
Score
93
Date
2024-08-01
"Lifted aromas that highlight the deft hand of the grower as crushed strawberries and raspberries lift from the glass intertwine with hints of sage, dried roses and anise. Round, plush and inviting, the wine cuddles the palate, but it is the big spoon. Structured, strong and firm, the wine shines as ripe Bing cherries pop with freshness and vitality finishing with a subtle earthy note. Drink now–2045. —J.P."
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
92
Date
2024-05-15
"The youthfully red 2020 Barolo Castellero needs a minute to blow off on opening but offers notes of spiced orange, dried cranberries, mint, and pine. Medium-bodied, it has fine tannins, a stony texture, even acidity, and a nice finish. Approachable and showing well now, it will drink well over the next 5-6 years."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2021
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
95
Date
2025-05-01
"Forest floor, dog rose and camphor aromas mingle with spice and wild berry on the elegant 2021 Giacomo Fenocchio Castellero. Savory and polished, the linear palate features succulent Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon and mint before closing on a hint of truffle. Taut, fine-grained tannins provide support while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2032–2038. Abv: 14% Kerin O'Keefe May 2025"
2021
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
2025-01-31
"Dried cherries, licorice and orange peel dominate on the nose. With time in the glass, it shows complexity and depth, with flavors of cherries, dried flowers and balsamic. Large and full-bodied, it has typical dusty yet ripe tannins, freshness and a savory aftertaste with some warm, earthy notes. Try from 2027."
2021
Vinous
Score
94+
Date
2025-01-07
"The 2021 Barolo Castellero is the most reticent of the 2021s at this address. Red-toned fruit, iron, white pepper, chalk and dried herbs convey tons of earthy, mineral intensity. This tightly wound wine is going to need a number of years to be at its best, but it is pretty impressive today."
2021
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
93
Date
2025-05-06
"Pouring a bright red color, the 2021 Barolo Castellero is fresh and lifted on the nose with pure notes of sweet cedar, raspberries, crushed flowers, and fresh tobacco. The palate is refreshing and approachable while also retaining a well-defined structure, with a medium-bodied frame. It has pure, ripe fruit notes, with well-defined tannins, even acidity, and an appealing spiced note on the finish. It will benefit from another 6-12 months to come together. Drink it over the next 12-15 years."
2019
Decanter
Score
94
Date
2023-03-23
2019
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
94
Date
2023-04-18
2019
James Suckling
Score
93
Date
2023-07-28
2019
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
93
Date
2023-05-04
2019
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2023-11-03
"The 2019 Barolo Castellero is redolent of pine, menthol, licorice, spice, lavender and cedar. Medium in body, the 2019 offers terrific freshness and energy throughout. Bright acids and focused tannins give the wine its shape and overall persistence. This should be approachable with minimal cellaring."
2019
Wine Advocate
Score
90
Date
2024-04-04
"With fruit from the village of Barolo, the Giacomo Fenocchio 2019 Barolo Castellero is a bit closed on first nose with a metallic note of tin or latex that takes away from the freshness of the fruit. I have noticed this reduction across many of the wines from 2019. There is dried flower and crushed stone mixed in with fine-grained tannins. Production is 5,000 bottles."
2019
Jancis Robinson
Score
16.5
Date
2022-11-23
2018
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2022-02-01
2018
James Suckling
Score
92
Date
2022-02-08
2017
Wine Enthusiast
Score
95
Date
2021-06-20
2017
James Suckling
Score
94
Date
[no Date]
2017
Vinous
Score
94
Date
2021-04-29