2016 Ceretto Barolo Brunate [WA97][JS95][WE94][WS94][D93]

Producer: Ceretto        
Region: Barolo, Piedmont, Italy  
Varietal: Nebbiolo  
Year: 2016 

Wine Advocate, 97 Points 

"I wasn't sure how to order my tasting flight of Ceretto's four single-vineyard Baroli (from Castiglione Falletto, Monforte d'Alba and Serralunga d'Alba), so I decided to start with this wine from Brunate in La Morra, at the heart of the appellation. The 2016 Barolo Brunate shows a dark core of fruit, and you are immediately aware of the depth and profound nature of this wine. The bouquet is lifted by cassis, wild cherry and plum. The ferrous quality that we saw in some of the other wines is softer here, and I would describe Brunate as the most fruit-forward (at this young stage) with elegant tannins and impactful fruit weight on the finish. All of these wines are aged in new oak (just 10% of the total) and used oak barrel (90%) for the first 12 months. After that, the wine is racked into Austrian oak casks for an additional two years before going into bottle for one more year." 

James Suckling, 95 Points 

"The purity of fruit here is so beautiful with sliced strawberries, violets and hints of black truffle. It’s full-bodied, yet balanced and chewy with lots of tannins. Very persistent at the end. Give this time to open and show its outstanding quality. Drink after 2023." 

Wine Enthusiast, 94 Points 

"Forest-floor, iris and perfumed berry aromas mingle with menthol notes on this full-bodied elegant red. Delivering finesse and flavor, the taut tight palate offers juicy red cherry, strawberry compote, cinnamon and tobacco framed in firm fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2026–2036." 

Wine Spectator, 94 Points 

"Ripe and charming, with cherry, plum, earth and mineral aromas and flavors harmonizing with the tight grid of tannins. This is vivid and picks up salty licorice accents on the lingering finish. Best from 2023 through 2040." 

Decanter, 93 Points 

"This is less perfumed on the nose than the regular Barolo, but it still shows charming, delicate raspberry fruit and a marked floral character. Rich and suave, this has polished tannins and a light touch that still allows the wine's underlying power to come through. It's not too assertive or grippy, and has the harmony and finesse one hopes for from this top La Morra site. Attractive acidity gives a piquant, spicy finish that's also firm and solid. Balanced and long." 

Alcohol: 14.5% 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.