Castello di Cigognola Per Papa 2016

Castello di Cigognola Per Papa 2016 is a refined, terroir-driven Nebbiolo that shines a spotlight on Lombardy’s ability to rival its more famous Piedmont neighbors. Crafted in limited quantities, it’s a deeply expressive red that balances structure, elegance and aromatic complexity. Named “Per Papa” as a tribute wine, it encapsulates both personal heritage and the historic soul of the estate’s hillside vineyards.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Per Papa 2016 shows a luminous garnet core with brick-orange highlights along the rim, a classic hue for well-developed Nebbiolo. The nose opens with rose petals, dried violets and sour cherry, followed by layers of blood orange, sweet tobacco, leather and a subtle hint of licorice and underbrush. On the palate, this is a noble, finely etched wine: medium-bodied yet firm, with precise acidity and polished, long-grained tannins. Flavors of red cherry, wild strawberry and dried raspberry intertwine with notes of cedar, balsamic herbs, spice box and a touch of earthy minerality. The finish is long, savory and persistent, promising further complexity with cellaring. While already approachable with proper aeration, the 2016 vintage still has several years of positive evolution ahead, rewarding careful aging for another 6–10 years, depending on storage conditions.

Production
Castello di Cigognola sits among the rolling hills of Oltrepò Pavese in Lombardy, an area blessed with calcareous-clay soils, good elevation and a strong diurnal shift that suits Nebbiolo beautifully. Grapes for Per Papa are typically hand-harvested at optimal ripeness to ensure precise selection in the vineyard, preserving both aromatic purity and structural integrity. After gentle crushing, the must undergoes a controlled fermentation with extended maceration on the skins to extract color, tannin and the varietal’s signature perfume. The wine is then aged in carefully chosen oak—often a mix of larger casks and/or barriques—to refine the tannins and add subtle spice, without overwhelming the grape’s floral and mineral-driven character. Bottling follows a period of rest in the cellar, allowing the elements to knit together before release.

Food & Serving
Per Papa 2016 is a versatile food wine, ideal with classic Northern Italian dishes such as braised veal shank (ossobuco), slow-cooked beef cheeks, or rich ragù over fresh egg pasta. It also marries beautifully with mushroom risotto, truffle-based dishes, aged hard cheeses and game birds like duck or guinea fowl. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatics and balance. Decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended, especially in its youth, to soften the tannins and allow the more delicate floral and spice notes to fully emerge.

Producer
Castello di Cigognola is an historic estate in Lombardy’s Oltrepò Pavese, centered around a medieval castle that has watched over vineyards for centuries. In recent decades, the property has undergone a qualitative renaissance, with a strong focus on terroir expression and meticulous vineyard work, positioning it as one of the key quality-driven players in the region. The winery is known for elevating local varieties and demonstrating that Oltrepò Pavese can produce reds of real finesse and longevity. Through cuvées like Per Papa, Castello di Cigognola has gained increasing recognition in Italy and abroad, helping to redefine Lombardy’s image as a serious source of distinctive, site-specific Nebbiolo.

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