Ceretto Barolo "Brunate" 2020

Winemaking

Ceretto is one of Piedmont's most respected family estates, built on a philosophy of precision viticulture and minimal intervention in the cellar. The house has spent decades perfecting the balance between traditional Barolo winemaking and modern technique, allowing the vineyard's character to speak first and foremost. Their commitment to terroir-driven expression shows in every vintage.

Tasting Notes

This Brunate Barolo opens with a bouquet of rose petals and tar, layered with dark cherry, licorice, and fine leather—the classic aromatic signature of great Nebbiolo. On the palate, it's structured and refined, with silky tannins that carry flavors of sour cherry, plum, and subtle mineral tension through the mid-palate. The finish is long and evolving, marked by dried fruit complexity and restrained oak influence that should integrate beautifully over the coming years.

Producer

Ceretto operates across multiple vineyard sites in the Barolo region, with particular focus on the most prestigious crus. The estate practices meticulous canopy management and selective harvesting to achieve optimal ripeness while preserving the acidity and elegance essential to age-worthy Barolo. As a multi-generational family operation, Ceretto balances commercial scale with a collector's devotion to quality.

Terroir

The Brunate cru sits in the Barolo DOCG appellation of Piedmont's Langhe region, where morning fog and complex soil composition create ideal conditions for Nebbiolo's demanding ripening cycle. Brunate's northeast-facing slope offers a balance of sun exposure and cool evening breezes, while its clay-limestone soils give the wine its signature mineral tension and potential for decades of evolution.

Food Pairings

Pair this with a pan-seared duck breast finished with a cherry gastrique and roasted root vegetables. It's also magnificent with a classic beef brasato in Barolo sauce, where the wine's tannins and tar-and-plum character mirror the dish's depth. For a simpler approach, try it with aged Parmigiano-Reggiano and cured salumi—let the wine's elegance do the talking.