Ceretto : Barolo Bricco Rocche 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for Ceretto’s Barolo Bricco Rocche 2020

Tasting

Color

The color displays an intense ruby-red hue, enhanced by garnet highlights characteristic of a high-quality Nebbiolo.

Nose

The nose reveals a seductive, complex aromatic profile, dominated by floral notes of violet and rose, accompanied by intense red fruits such as cherry, raspberry and strawberry. Herbal touches of mint, thyme and basil add a lively dimension, while aromas of cinnamon, white pepper and vanilla enrich the bouquet. With aeration, more earthy notes of leather and soil gradually emerge.

Palate

On the palate, this wine shows power and richness, with an imposing tannic structure wrapped in notes of red plums and black fruits. Balanced acidity brings vibrancy and lift, while velvety tannins provide a sense of vigor and substance. The finish lingers remarkably on mineral notes of chalk and wet stones, ending with a fresh, slightly mentholated touch.

Food and wine pairings

This Barolo naturally pairs with roasted or grilled red meats, where caramelized flavors harmonize beautifully with the wine’s tannic structure. Game dishes such as deer, roe deer or wild boar make ideal gastronomic companions. Aged Italian cheeses like Castelmagno, Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano also create lovely harmonies. Regional Piedmontese preparations—particularly white truffle risotto or fresh pasta stuffed with meats—offer especially successful traditional pairings.

Serving and cellaring

Barolo Bricco Rocche 2020 can be enjoyed from 2026 and will continue to evolve until around 2045.

An exceptional Italian Barolo from Piedmont’s smallest cru

The estate

Founded in 1930 by Riccardo Ceretto, Ceretto is an emblematic family estate in Piedmont, based in Alba and Valdivilla. Initially made from purchased grapes, its wines gained new momentum when Bruno and Marcello introduced a revolutionary terroir-driven vision, leading to the acquisition of renowned vineyards, including Brunate in La Morra. Since 2015, the entire range has been certified organic. The Ceretto family—particularly Lisa, Roberta, Alessandro and Federico—now continues this legacy of excellence.

The vineyard

Bricco Rocche is the smallest cru of the Barolo appellation, located in Castiglione Falletto between the historic vineyards of Villero and Rocche di Castiglione. An exclusive monopole of the Ceretto family since the mid-1970s, it covers just 1.46 hectares. Situated at 350 to 370 meters above sea level with a southeast to southwest exposure, the vineyard enjoys optimal ripening conditions. The soils, composed of Diano sandstone, silt and clay, are renowned for producing wines of great harmony and remarkable balance. The vines are farmed organically and according to biodynamic principles, without the use of synthetic chemical agents.

The vintage

The 2020 growing season in Piedmont was marked by generally very warm temperatures. However, the lack of pronounced water stress and intense heat spikes allowed the Nebbiolo grapes to reach full physiological ripeness while preserving natural acidity and freshness. The climatic conditions encouraged remarkable fruit concentration, giving rise to a top-quality wine with a structure capable of supporting long aging.

Winemaking and aging

Barolo Bricco Rocche 2020 underwent extended aging of around 24 months in medium-toast French oak barrels, split between first-, second- and third-fill. This approach enables subtle integration of oak elements without excessive dominance. After this barrel phase, the wine continues to mature in larger 45-hectoliter oak casks for at least one additional year, allowing the structure to stabilize and the components to integrate more fully.

Grape variety

100% Nebbiolo