Ettore Germano Barolo Cerretta DOCG 2019

Barolo Cerretta comes from Ettore Germano in Serralunga d'Alba, in the Langhe of Piedmont. Cerretta is a cru on the northern side of Serralunga, with a southeast exposure and a vineyard sitting at 350 to 400 metres above sea level. The soils are calcareous, formed from the fossil-rich Sant'Agata marls, and this limestone base gives Nebbiolo here its bright acidity, firm tannin and aromatic lift. Nebbiolo ripens late and translates its site faithfully, which is why single-vineyard Barolo is prized. The wine is fermented with an extended maceration to extract tannin and colour, then aged for twenty months in cask, where slow oxidation rounds the tannins and builds savoury complexity, with a further eighteen months in bottle before release. It is pale garnet, complex on the nose with ripe red cherry, redcurrant and rose, alongside liquorice, tar, dried herbs and leather. The palate is structured and finely balanced, the tannins firm but ripe, the finish very long. This is grown under respectful farming. Serve at 17 degrees Celsius and decant ahead. It suits braised beef, game and aged hard cheese.