2021 Luigi Baudana Barolo Cerretta

The soil of Cerretta is a pure Formazione di Lequio, formed approximately 12 million years ago in the Serravallian epoch. Dominated by calcareous limestones, this origin translates into a wine of breeding, with complex aromatics, spices, a broad and austere palate building into a long-lasting finale.

Fruit for the 2021 Barolo Cerretta was picked on 14^th October. Fermentation kinetics in this vineyard are much slower than Baudana. Fermentation was followed by submerged cap maceration for a total of 54 days. Punchdowns and gentle pumpovers were the only operations during maceration. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation occurred the following spring. The wine aged for 23 months in custom-made large Slavonian oak casks of 15, 17, and 25 hectolitres. Bottled on 28^th June 2024.

The 2021 Barolo DOCG Cerretta is elegant yet powerful. Ruby red grapefruit, ripe citrus, cherry, blackberry, dried roses, Tasmanian pepper and mint notes all speak of “Serralunga limestones” in this wine. The palate is mineral, with hints of Earl Grey tea, lychee, elderflower, orange peel and very structured yet elegant tannins. – Squadra Vajra

This wine is not as simple as it seems at first. On the nose it shows an assertive, floral style with subtle fruit, violets, restrained roses, vibrant red currants, cherry stones, licorice and dark spices. Austere on the palate, with crisp acidity, a full body and firm, dusty, youthful tannins. It’s not easy at the moment, but it’s of good quality. It deserves a lot of time for its huge structure to resolve. Best from 2030. 96 points. James Suckling, jamessuckling.com Jan 2025

Starting off a bit slower than the other wines in this flight, the Luigi Baudana 2021 Barolo Cerretta is quite nervous and tightly wound at this point. Cerretta in Serralunga d’Alba is known for its powerful, age-worthy wines. Despite that initial shyness, this bottle does reveal layers of sweet fruit, grenadine and tart cherry. The wine is nicely balanced with chalky, elegant tannins. 95+ points. Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate Jan 2025

The 2021 Barolo Cerretta is the most classically Serralunga of the three wines this year. Bold, searing tannins support a core of dark-toned fruit. Graphite, lavender, cloves, incense and licorice add to an impression of virile intensity. All this needs is time to soften a touch. 95 points. Antonio Galloni, Vinous Jan 2025