Castello di Neive Santo Stefano Barbera d'Alba

Barbera d'Alba Santo Stefano DOC bottle image

Wine Description

The Barbera grapes for this wine come from the famed Santo Stefano vineyard which initially caused critics to believe Italo Stupino was crazy as this vineyard is typically reserved for the hallowed Nebbiolo. This 100% Barbera proved them wrong as it expresses the depth for which Santo Stefano is known while still retaining Barbera's signature fruit. The grapes for this wine are pressed and then allowed to mature for 9 months in large wooden vats to allow the wines to mellow and develop their complexity.

Catello di Neive Cellar
Castello di Neive Vineyards
Castello di Neive Vineyards
Catine del Castello di Neive
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Acclaim
“Intense aromas of violet, iris and wild berry come to the forefront on this big, full-bodied red. The chewy concentrated palate doles out plum, blackberry, cherry soaked in spirits and a hint of vanilla. Round tannins make it approachable, and thanks to the succulent fruit, you almost can’t detect the elevated alcohol content.”
— Wine Enthusiast, Oct 2018
“Intense ruby red with purple tinges. Ripe cherries with hints of spices, nice complexity, well-structured, balanced acidity. Persistent finish.”
— The Daily Meal, Jul 2018
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Vineyard & Production Info
Production area/appellation:
Barbera d'Alba DOC
Vineyard name
The Santo Stefano vineyards
Vineyard size
6 acres
Soil composition
Calcareous
Training method
Guyot
Elevation:
825 feet
Vines/acre:
1,600
Yield/acre:
3.6 tons
Exposure:
Southern / Southwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1948-2005
Harvest time:
end of September
First vintage of this wine:
1978
Bottles produced of this wine:
13,000
Average Vine Age:
25
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Winemaking & Aging
Maceration length:
10
Varietal composition:
100% Barbera
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
10 days
Fermentation temperature:
82 °F
Maceration technique:
Racking, Pumpovers, and Aeration
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barrels and Stainless steel tanks
Size of aging container:
3500 L
Type of oak:
French: Allier
Length of aging before bottling:
9 months
Age of Aging Container:
Ten years
Length of bottle aging:
6 months
Total SO2
80
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.5
Acidity:
57 g/L
Alcohol:
15 %
Total SO2
80
Residual sugar:
1 g/L