Castellari Bergaglio - Pilin DOCG Gavi 2014

Castellari Bergaglio - Pilin DOCG Gavi 2014 (90 TSW)

This 100% Cortese won the prestegious Tre Bicchieri 2021 Gambero Rosso in this Covid year.

The grapes come from the oldest vineyards in the Gavi region: a vineyard more than eighty years old, an excellent traditional and genetic heritage. The area where the winery is located is called “Rovereto”, and is surrounded by vineyards and the oak forests (which were once larger) from which the wine gets its name.

The name "Pilin" was the nickname of the winemaker's grandfather. The grapes for “Pilin” are selected from all the vineyards of the winery. The best, healthiest and ripest trusses are selected with care and attention and placed in wooden trays. This makes the wine suitable for vinification and ageing in barriques.

After partial drying for 30-40 days in trays the grapes undergo light pressing to extract the best from the fruit and this is followed by separation of the first sediment, and fermentation. The fermenting must is transferred to barriques where it will complete its alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, and remains in barriques until the following September without further racking. Racking takes place after this process is complete, and light clarification also precedes cold-stabilizing and bottling. It will be placed on the market only two years later, when the wine has reached the proper level of maturity and balance.

My tasting notes:

In the glass a bright citrus yellow color with golden reflections.
On the medium+ nose aromas of apricot, grapefruit and citrus with hints of cucumber, vegetables, fresh cedar, honey and light butter / vanilla.
On the palate dry, medium+ bodied with medium acidity and good structure. Round and warm in the mouth with stewed apple, spices, yellow plums, lemonpeel and herbs. The finish has a medium+ light creamy finish. Still young and a whole time ahead.

Pilin can be paired with roast veal and fish and hard cheeses, but it will impress even more with just a few eggs with truffles.