Luigi Baudana Barolo Cerretta 2017 (750ML)

96 WS / 96 JD / 96 JS / 95 VM / 95 WI / 93 WA / 94 DE / 17+ JR

This red boasts a beautiful balance between its cherry, strawberry, floral, eucalyptus and mineral aromas and flavors. Supple and elegant, despite the resonant tannins and lively acidity that boost the lingering aftertaste, with fine length. Don't think about pulling the cork for five years. Best from 2026 through 2048. 240 cases made. — BS, Wine Spectator

A sweet perfume lifts from the 2017 Barolo Cerretta, with fresh violets, kirsch, cinnamon, and sage. The palate is energetic with forward fruit through the mid-palate with persistence, with tea leaf and present but well-integrated tannins. The Cerretta displays the elegance that is possible within the 2017 vintage. Drink 2022-2040.—Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck

This is really perfumed and enticing, offering intense floral and citrus character with some cherry. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and very reserved, with a long, racy finish. Fantastic depth of fruit here. Outstanding purity, too. Better in 2025.—James Suckling

A dark, somber wine, the 2017 Barolo Cerretta shows the more potent, brooding side of Serralunga. Black cherry, gravel, smoke, cured meats, cloves and menthol add to an impression of virile intensity and pure power. Readers will have to be patient here, but there is certainly a ton to look forward to. This is another impressive showing from Baudana and the Vajra family.-- Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

The 2017 Luigi Baudana Barolo Cerretta is sweet, smoky and spicy on the nose with cherry aromas. On the palate it is deep, concentrated and full. It has soft-textured tannins, quite gravelly but very rounded and nicely integrated. It has a slight green leafy note and a touch of dryness whereas the 2018 Cerretta has less concentration but better overall harmony. Wait 2 years and drink for 15. - SH, Wine Independent

A release of 3,000 bottles, the Luigi Baudana 2017 Barolo Cerretta is the most downplayed of these three wines and the least complicated from an aromatic point of view. A first wave of aromas is focused on wild rose and crushed flowers. More robust tones of ripe cherry, rusty earth and dark spice follow in time. This edition of Cerretta is surprisingly delicate and fine, going against almost everything we know about robust fruit from Serralunga d'Alba and the powerful 2017 vintage. The wine is counterintuitive in a way only Nebbiolo can be. - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

Classically ‘Serralunga’ in character, the 2017 is still backward. Aromas suggest tobacco, tea leaf, hazelnut and mossy undergrowth. A steely, irony structure grips the tight, angular palate. Tannins are concentrated - as is the acidity – becoming grainier as they relent. A rush of salted black liquorice, white blossoms and granite washes across the finish. Give this time. From two plots - one on the northern slope of the Cerretta hill where Sant'Agata fossil marls meet Diano d'Alba sandstone, and the other on the east which sits on pure Lequio formation. - Michaela Morris, Decanter

Serralunga d'Alba. Youthful ruby. Minerally, smoky/earthy cherry nose with a hint of exotic spice and black tea leaves. Lots of concentration but at the moment more subdued than their 2017 Baudana. Gorgeous, supple fruit and rich, truly powerful tannins that are still a little demanding right now. Concentrated, austere and still closed, but with lots of potential.—Walter Speller, Jancis Robinson