Monchiero Barolo 'Rocche di Castiglione' 2019

This is a bit of a 'wow' wine. I rate this producer very highly, particularly off the back of their 2018 Barolo Classico (an extremely good wine, from a vintage many continue to discredit). However the 2019 ?Rocche di Castiglione? takes things up a few notches, as may be reasonable to suspect from such a highly regarded cru in Castiglione Falletto. Monchiero's 'house style' is undoubtedly one of elegance and red fruit. While others from this village aim for power, black fruit and firm tannin, Monchiero produces Baroli of elegance and refinement. This wine is as pinot-esq as is possible in Piedmont, apparently aided by the high sand content in Monchiero?s portion of this vineyard, which brings elegance and enhanced aromatics. This shows red petal florals, dehydrated raspberry, jamon, blood orange and mandarin zest. Tannin is silty and fine but certainly present. It has latent power, but the overall feel of the wine is one of effortlessness. When you consider that Vietti's wine from the same cru retails at $580 a bottle, it makes this wine even more appealing. Ches Cook, FWC.