Tried these two Castellis over the last few days:
1. Castelli Nebbiolo Estate GreenVlly of RRV/SonomaCnty (14.2%; www.CastelliVineyards.com; 75 cs) Emilio & Laura Castelli/Sebastapol 2016: Med.color w/ slight bricking; strong quite floral/lilacs/Nebb light earthy/dusty/OV lightly pungent/tarry slight pencilly/oak somewhat complex nose; some tart/tangy strong Nebb/floral/lilacs/rose petals lightly tarry/pungent some earthy/dusty slight pencilly/oak some complex flavor w/ modest tangy/metallic tannins; very long some complex finish that follows flavor; distinctively Nebbiolo but w/ a Calif accent; the richness/texture suggest more AltoPiemonte/Gattinara Nebb; not the soaring floral aromatics of Piemonte Nebb but not the hard/tannic bite either; quite a good Calif Nebb w/ some complexity but the stuffing to go another 5-10 yrs; probably about its best state right now while it still shows some youth.
___________________
2. Castelli Nebbiolo "Fosco" GreenVlly/RRV (14.0%) 2012: Rather dark color w/ light bricking; fairly strong grapey/fruity bit pungent/tarry some earthy light floral/Nebb/lilacs light pencilly/oak rather inteesting very Calif nose; fairly tart/tangysomewhat rich/grapey/fruity lightly Nebb/floral/lilacs light tarry/pungent somewhat smooth flavor w/ modest ripe tannins; fairly long grapey/floral finish that tracks flavor; lots of grapey/fruity/Calif character that speaks quietly of Nebb; a bit on the simple/rough/rustic side; fairly drinkable & not strongly tannic; not developed a lot of complexity or evolution; does not have the aromatics you expect of Nebb; an interesting mature Calif red that speaks quietly of Nebb; a bit rough/rustic/Italianate Calif red that speaks quietly of Nebb.
___________________________________________________
More nuttlefrick from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. I just ordered the latest offer from Emilio of his Fosco & Estate Nebbiolo. Given my interest in Nebbiolo, I've followed Emilio from the very start. I first met him on the Squires or WCWN wine boards where he mentioned he was growing grapes in the GreenVlly area. When I asked him what he was growing, he responded "Nebbiolo". I was shocked...absolutely shocked... that someone was enough of a lunatic to grow Nebbiolo in Calif. So I, of course, bought his original/first release way back when. And have been buying ever since.
Emilio makes two Nebbs, the Fosco and the Estate. The Fosco comes from younger vines from a vnyd a few miles away from his Estate. It was originally a hippie/free-love/community farm that was started over 10 yrs ago. They asked Emilio if he would plant a vnyd for them & he put in Nebb & PinotNoir. That community eventually disbanded & I believe Emilio now owns that vnyd. Planted in 2007. Emilio made the wines from that vnyd from the very start.
Emilio's Estate vnyd is a tiny one out in front of his house, where his wnry is also located. He farms it by Fukuoko. It is one of the ugliest/most unkempt vnyd in all Calif. But you can't argue w/ what that vnyd produces.
Emilio was born & raised on the Western shore of Lake Como. When he immigrated to the US, he originally sold medical equipment across the USofA. But the siren song of Nebbiolo called him to plant grapes in the GreenVlly area.
Emilio attended our first NEB meeting in Sebastapol at Pax Mahl's wnry. AdamLee was also there showing his Nebb. As was Ken Musso/DueVigna. Emilio & Ken have been the two central figures in the Nebbiolo world in Calif. Their two Nebbs have consistently been the best showing ones at our Neb gatherings.
Anyway, the Castelli Nebbs are worth trying if you want one of the best expressions of that grape in Calif. But don't expect them to be Barolo/Barbaresco in character.
Tom