Barolo Cerretta DOCG 2021 · 6 bottles in OWC

Giovanni Rosso | Piedmont
Azienda Agricola Giovanni Rosso | Via Roddino 10/1 | IT 12050 Serralunga d’Alba

05502921 · 0,75 l · 565,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

Serralunga d'Alba is not a place for compromises. The soil here – calcareous marl soils, millions of years old, compacted and rich in minerals – forms Barolos with a structure and depth that simply cannot be found elsewhere. The MGA Cerretta is located on the south-eastern slope of the municipal area, at an altitude of 350 to 365 metres, in the zone that winegrowers and critics have appreciated for generations for its extraordinary combination of power and finesse. The Rosso family has been cultivating these vineyards since the 1890s – first Giovanni, then his son Davide, who took over responsibility in 2001 at the age of 27 and since then has made a single sentence the guiding principle of his work: Wine should be a perfect reflection of its terroir.

It is not a great credo that he has come up with. It is an attitude – lived every day, in the vineyard and cellar. Davide Rosso, trained in Burgundy with Jean Grivot and Denis Mortet, brings the precision of the north to the Langhe. No herbicides, no pesticides, organic cultivation as a matter of course. The grapes are harvested by hand in mid-October, when the Nebbiolo has reached full ripeness. In the cellar, the grapes are destemmed, gently macerated and fermented for around 25 days in concrete tanks – with daily pumping over and a délestage at the halfway point to keep colour, extract and structure in balance. Maturation in large French oak barrels, 25 and 50 hectolitres, 18 to 36 months depending on the vintage. A cellar without haste.

The 2021 vintage is one of the most elegant Serralunga vintages of the last decade: cool, long autumn, slow ripening, fresh acidity as the backbone. In the glass, the Cerretta shines in a clear ruby red colour with a garnet hue at the edges. The nose is complex and densely woven: Violets and wilted rose, ripe cherry and marasca, with white pepper, camphor and a hint of tobacco and damp earth underneath. The palate reveals the essence of Serralunga: power and suppleness at the same time. The tannins are firm but silky, the acidity is fresh and precisely integrated, the finish is long and mineral, with an aftertaste of star anise and menthol that lingers in the memory for minutes after the last sip. This is Cerretta in its purest form: Serralunga structure, Burgundian precision, staying power. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense ruby colour with a fine garnet sheen. Intense nose opens with earthy notes of tobacco and fresh leather, then lots of ripe wild raspberries, some roses. Powerful on the palate, lots of gripping tannins, opens up in many layers, firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"The 2021 Barolo Cerretta is bright and nicely focused. Hints of lavender, crushed rocks, mint, sage and tobacco open first. More than anything else, I admire the wine's vertical structure and overall energy. This needs time to soften. Today, brisk acids and tannins dominate." Vinous

"A graceful wine despite its power. Intoxicating aromas of violets, roses, cherry stones and blood oranges enhanced by licorice and smoke notes. The palate is firm, with ripe, velvety tannins, crisp acidity, a full body and a polished finish despite its youth and extraction." James Suckling

"Ripe blackberries and black plums wait patiently in their bowl, their sweetness mingling with wild mint, bay leaf, and allspice's peppery warmth. This wine carries itself like a five-star prospect in triple-A ball: all the raw talent is there, structured with fine-grained tannins and pure fruit, just waiting for its moment. Give it time in your cellar's minor leagues and watch this rookie develop into a perennial all-star, delivering greatness for decades to come." Wine Enthusiast

"Packed with cherry, raspberry, strawberry, rose and mineral flavors, this red is juicy and smooth, with civilized tannins lending support. Complex and lively, with a long, expansive finish. Shows superb balance and future potential." Wine Spectator