2020 Barolo Cerequio DOCG, Vietti *Magnum*

Deep garnet at first glance, this mighty Barolo unfolds with an arresting bouquet of crushed red cherries, wild raspberries and plum skin, framed by fine spice, dried herbs and violet petal perfume. Beneath that rich fruit core lies a thread of sanguine earthiness and citrus peel that gives the aromatics lift and further intrigue. Time in the glass reveals delicate balsamic notes and a touch of mineral graphite that hint at the wine’s layered complexity and noble lineage.

On the palate this is powerful yet lithe, ripe red fruit and blood orange zest open the door before firm, chalky tannins step in to shape the core. Bright acidity gives the structure tension and drive, balancing the richness with a precision that keeps the experience vibrant rather than heavy. Echoes of liquorice, juniper and forest floor thread through the mid-palate, carrying into a finish that is long, resonant and lifted by lingering spice and fine tannic grip. This is Barolo built for patience, generous now with decanting, yet with decades of expressive evolution ahead.

For when: the table is laden and the guests are eager for something monumental.
Pairs with: braised short rib, wild boar ragu, truffle risotto or aged alpine cheeses.
If this wine were a place: a sun-steeped Langhe crest at dusk, powerful, profound and impossibly elegant.

Vietti stands as one of Barolo’s true modern icons, a family estate whose history in the Langhe stretches back to the 19th century but whose vision feels forever forward-thinking. From the 1960s onward, under the guidance of Alfredo and then Luca Currado, Vietti helped redefine what Barolo could be: vineyard-specific bottlings, obsessive attention to site expression, and an unwavering commitment to preserving old vines that translate the Langhe’s ancient soils into pure, resonant Nebbiolo. Their parcels in crus such as Cerequio, Brunate and Rocche di Castiglione are among the most revered in the region.

Today, Vietti remains a benchmark for precision and elegance, crafting Barolo of remarkable finesse, transparency and longevity. Every bottle carries the hallmark of meticulous viticulture and thoughtful, restrained winemaking, wines that capture not only the power of Barolo, but the poetry of its hillsides.