Deep garnet color; cherry, plum, raspberry, blackcurrant, baking spices, licorice, rose petals, leather, earth on the nose and palate.
Dry; elegant and not overly assertive tannins; balancing vibrant acidity. Medium-plus body. Impressive structure. Plenty of cellaring potential, at six years this is just moving into its best-by drinking window. Classic presentation of ripe nebbiolo fruit. One of the estate’s top-tier bottlings. Consider decanting to reveal the layers in this wine rather than to just tame the tannins. 14.5% ABV
The Ceretto family found an old farmstead on the outskirts of Alba in the late 1980s. They gradually transformed it into a main office. The estate is known as Monsordo Bernardina and is historically linked to a love story between Vittorio Emanuele II and the beautiful Rosina. The grapes for this wine came from that estate vineyard.
The website notes: “Within a few years [the estate] became the main hub of the company, here we carry out not only the activities associated with the production and refinement of some of the most important wine labels, but also the administrative and commercial activities, offices and warehouse. There are more than 30 hectares [74 acres] of vineyards that surround the farmstead, both traditional and international varieties, all grown under strong principles of environmental sustainability.” In 2009 a permanent installation—The Grape—was created so visitors could overlook the beautiful vineyards.
Ceretto Barolo DOCG 2019 is fresh, relaxed, excellent presentation of nebbiolo fruit. Nice balance of tannins and acidity. Long, complex finish further reveals the wine’s impressive structure. Consider decanting to experience all the nuances—a common recommendation with barolo. Pair with braised and slow-cooked dishes—slow cooked brisket, osso buco (veal shanks braised with vegetables, white wine, broth), venison stew. Roasted and grilled red meats—ribeye, herb-crusted lamb chops, duck confit. Roasted portobello mushrooms stuffed with aged cheese and herbs, mushroom and truffle lasagna. Cheese—parmigiano-reggiano, pecorino romano, castelmagno, toma piemontese, aged pecorino romano, aged gouda. $60-70
