Rocche dei Manzoni, Barolo Vigna Capella di Stefano 1998

Rocche dei Manzoni Barolo Vigna Capella di Stefano 1998 is a masterful single-vineyard expression from the hills of Monforte d’Alba, crafted from 100% Nebbiolo. Sourced from a high, southwest-facing plateau with limestone marl and clay, it captures the power, perfume and age‑worthy structure that define classic Barolo. The warm but balanced 1998 vintage has endowed this wine with ripe fruit, refined tannins and the kind of complexity that only time in bottle can reveal.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this mature Barolo shows a deep garnet core with brick-orange reflections at the rim, a hallmark of well-aged Nebbiolo. The nose is intensely expressive, unfolding layers of dried roses and violets, ripe cherries and raspberries, framed by notes of licorice, truffle, tar and a subtle mineral edge. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet poised, with a supple, integrated structure. Flavors of evolved red fruits—maraschino cherry, macerated raspberry and a touch of dried plum—interweave with savory tones of leather, spice and a gentle balsamic nuance. The tannins, once firm, have become silky but still provide grip and definition, while the acidity keeps the wine vibrant and elongated on the finish. The aftertaste is long, elegant and persistent, echoing minerals and floral notes. At this stage, the 1998 is in a beautiful drinking window and, if well stored, can continue to evolve gracefully over the coming years, though it is very much ready to enjoy now.

Production
Vigna Capella di Stefano lies on a high, southwest-facing plateau in Monforte d’Alba, where limestone-rich marl mixed with clay and excellent sun exposure give Nebbiolo both ripeness and firm structure. The vines are traditionally farmed and harvested by hand, allowing careful selection of perfectly mature grapes. Rocche dei Manzoni follows a classic Barolo vinification, with a long maceration to extract fine aromatics, tannins and color from the skins. After fermentation, the wine is aged for roughly 36 months in a combination of large Slavonian oak casks and a proportion of new French barriques, marrying traditional structure with subtle refinement. Several additional years of bottle aging follow, allowing the components to knit together and the wine’s complexity and tertiary bouquet to fully emerge.

Food & Serving
This mature Barolo is a natural partner for rich, savory dishes such as braised beef, ossobuco, roast lamb, game birds and slow-cooked veal or pork. It shines alongside classic Piemontese cuisine—tajarin with truffles, brasato al Barolo, or mushroom risotto—and pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or old Comté. Serve at 16–18 °C, in large Burgundy or Barolo glasses, and decant gently 2–3 hours before serving to remove any sediment and allow the wine to fully open its bouquet.

Producer
Rocche dei Manzoni was founded in 1974 by Valentino and Jolanda Migliorini in Monforte d’Alba and quickly became one of the leading modern estates in Barolo. Known for their pioneering work in single-vineyard bottlings and the measured use of French oak, they helped usher in a new era of quality and precision in the region. The estate’s holdings in prime crus around Monforte allow them to produce Barolo wines that are both powerful and finely detailed, with Vigna Capella di Stefano standing out as a benchmark expression of the village’s terroir. Over the decades, Rocche dei Manzoni has earned a reputation for ageworthy, characterful Barolo that bridges tradition and innovation, making their wines highly regarded among collectors and enthusiasts alike.

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