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Castiglione Tinella

Red · Artisan · Medium-sweet

Elena Vermouth Superiore Rosso BB21

Elena Spirits

Castiglione Tinella , Italia

Re-evaluation pending

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Overall impression

Vermutpedia is re-evaluating the Italian catalogue; the Vermutpedia Score for this entry remains pending until the new tasting round is complete. Elena Spirits' Vermouth di Torino Superiore Rosso BB21 is the Langhe voice in the world of vermouth according to elenaspirits.com: a cuvée that uses Barbaresco DOCG 2021 and a portion of Roero Arneis DOCG, blended with natural Piedmont botanicals and herbs according to an old family recipe, infused once (one-shot). Born from the challenge set by the Currado Vietti family at Cascina Penna Currado (Castiglione Tinella), BB21 represents the fine-wine bet of a century-old wine dynasty applied to Superiore rosso vermouth. Eighteen per cent alcohol, steel-tank maturation and a 75 cl bottle place it as a prestige edition between the volume rosso in litre format and the sister cuvées LAZ19 (Barolo Lazzarito) and TIM21 (Timorasso white). For Vermutpedia, BB21 is the accessible bridge of the Superiore trio: Barbaresco as tannic structure, Arneis as freshness and Piedmont botanicals in a single extraction, without industrial compromise.

Nose and palate

The official sheet at elenaspirits.com does not spell out literal organoleptic notes, but the combination of Barbaresco 2021 + Arneis + one-shot Langhe botanicals anticipates a vinous, tannic profile verifiable in independent tastings. On the nose, gentian, liquorice and wormwood rise over dark fruit, candied cherry and floral hints from Arneis, with spiced layers from Piedmont herbs. On the palate, BB21 is complex and long: Barbaresco structure brings noble tannins and depth, Arneis softens with freshness, and the botanicals balance semisweet sweetness and structured bitterness. The finish is sweet-spiced and persistent, with Langhe elegance that transcends conventional rosso vermouth. Enveloping texture, present but integrated alcohol, medium-long persistence. At eighteen degrees, it is more assertive than commercial vermouths and demands a slow glass, luxury Negroni or pairing with dark chocolate. BB21 shares one-shot philosophy with LAZ19 and TIM21, differentiated by the Barbaresco-Arneis base.

How to serve it

Elena Spirits conceives BB21 as a contemplative vermouth and a premium base for classic cocktails where a rosso with fine-wine soul elevates the recipe. It works solo with a large ice cube and orange twist at 6–8 °C, where Barbaresco and the botanicals unfold without losing freshness. In mixology, it shines in luxury Negronis, Manhattan twists or Americanos where its semisweet-tannic profile adds depth without dominating. Also as a digestif with dark chocolate or aged Piedmont cheeses, leveraging Barbaresco structure. Given its premium character and high alcohol, it is not a long-session bar vermouth but a bottle for special occasions. Available at elenaspirits.com. For those exploring the Elena universe, BB21 is the entry Superiore rosso before LAZ19 (Barolo Lazzarito) or white TIM21 (Timorasso).

Production context

Elena Spirits makes Superiore Rosso BB21 in the Piemonte, Langhe production area, with Barbaresco 2021 and a portion of Roero Arneis verifiable at elenaspirits.com. Piedmont botanicals and natural herbs are infused once (one-shot) according to the old Currado Vietti family recipe, without re-extraction. Steel-tank maturation, eighteen per cent alcohol, 750 ml bottle. The Elena Spirits project, driven by Elena Penna since 2020 at Cascina Penna Currado, carries Langhe roots to the world; BB21 forms a Superiore trio with LAZ19 (Barolo Lazzarito 2019 + Arneis) and TIM21 (Timorasso-Derthona 2021). For Vermutpedia, BB21 is accessible Piedmont fine-wine rosso vermouth: verifiable Barbaresco and Arneis, one-shot extraction, contemporary Langa style and Elena Spirits' prestige red bet against the volume rosso in litre format.

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