Cerretta lies opposite Baudana on the east slope of Serralunga. The soil belongs entirely to the Formazioni di Lequio: a thin layer of white marl covering a deep subsoil of red clay. Grapes are picked from 40-year-old wines of multiple biotypes of Nebbiolo, representing the incredible heritage of Luigi’s Nebbiolo has the longest vegetative cycle among local varieties, and is usually harvested around the third week of October. Fermentation is carried out primarily in one large cask. The Cerretta vineyard always has a slow start to fermentation, which then goes for 35-40 days on average. Post-fermentation “cappello sommerso” (submerged cap) follows for another week in greater vintages. Cerretta is aged in large Slavonian casks for 32 months on average. – Giuseppe Vaira
‘Pretty ripe offering here, sooty, dark plum and red berries, new leather and menthol. Full-bodied, liquorice and stewed plum, firm graphite tannin, a bit of warmth, but with a stony ‘mineral’ feel to tannin. Juicy baked fruit and earthy flavours to close. A bit of a thumper, but very good. 94+ points.’ – Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
‘A dark, sombre wine, the 2017 Barolo Cerretta shows the more potent, brooding side of Serralunga. Black cherry, gravel, smoke, cured meats, cloves and menthol add to an impression of virile intensity and pure power. Readers will have to be patient here, but there is certainly a ton to look forward to. This is another impressive showing from Baudana and the Vajra family.’ – 95 points. Antonio Galloni, Vinous
