Ceretto : Barbaresco 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for Ceretto’s 2020 Barbaresco

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a ruby-red hue with garnet highlights typical of nebbiolo.

Nose

The nose opens on an elegant, expressive bouquet, revealing aromas of vibrant red fruits such as raspberry and wild strawberry. These fruity notes are joined by delicate floral fragrances of freshly picked rose, violet and dried flowers. Spicy nuances of white pepper and cinnamon round out the profile, while mineral touches of wet stone and crushed limestone add depth.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is smooth and approachable, with a medium body that favors elegance over power. Bright red-fruit flavors linger, supported by silky, refined tannins that provide a velvety texture. Lively, fresh acidity adds lift and maintains a fine definition through to a long, persistent finish, where the floral and mineral notes re-emerge.

Food and wine pairings

This Barbaresco is an ideal match for traditional Piedmontese dishes such as white truffle risotto, stuffed agnolotti or Piedmont-style braised beef. It also pairs beautifully with game meats such as duck in sauce, guinea fowl with truffles or pheasant. Braised red meats, osso buco or roasted veal chops are also excellent choices. For a cheese pairing, opt for aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Gorgonzola or Castelmagno.

Serving and cellaring

Serve this 2020 Barbaresco between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for 30 to 45 minutes before serving will allow the wine to fully express its aromatic range. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve through around 2040, and even beyond under optimal cellaring conditions.

An elegant, aromatic Barbaresco from Piedmont

The estate

Founded in 1930 by Riccardo Ceretto, Ceretto is an iconic family estate in Piedmont, based in Alba and deeply rooted in the Langhe, notably with the prestigious Brunate vineyard in La Morra. Initially without landholdings, the estate was transformed under Bruno and Marcello, driven by a pioneering vision of terroir and soil quality. Since 1999, the property has been run collectively by Lisa, Roberta, Alessandro and Federico Ceretto. Organic-certified since the 2015 vintage, Ceretto brings together wine, gastronomy, art and sustainable local projects.

The vineyard

This Barbaresco is sourced from a blend of plots located in the communes of Treiso and Barbaresco, two complementary terroirs within the appellation. The nebbiolo vines are farmed according to organic principles, with no use of synthetic pesticides or herbicides. This respectful approach encourages an authentic expression of terroir and soil health through regenerative viticulture practices.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Piedmont began with a mild, dry winter, followed by an early spring in March and April. May, cooler and rainier, slowed ripening and allowed for good water reserves in the soils. The hot summer, with temperatures exceeding 30°C in late July and early August, was fortunately punctuated by regular storms that maintained adequate vine hydration. September and early October offered ideal conditions with sunny, mild weather, enabling gradual, balanced ripening. Nebbiolo harvest took place between September 26 and October 5, 2020, producing grapes of excellent concentration with well-integrated acidity and fresh, juicy tannins.

Vinification and aging

The vinification of this 2020 Barbaresco relies on spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, initiated by a natural pied de cuve. Skin maceration lasts around twenty days, allowing for gentle extraction of aromatic and tannic compounds. Aging takes place mainly in large neutral oak casks, with limited exposure to French oak, for a total of around twenty-four months. This approach favors the expression of fruit and terroir rather than woody aromas.

Grape variety

100% nebbiolo