Wine Reviews

A deep youthful garnet color, the 2020 Barolo Cerequio is lifted and savory with notes of tobacco, mint, dried cherries, and peppery spices. Medium-bodied, it has a nicely balanced and approachable feel on the palate, with ripe tannins, a weightless feel, and an elegant ripeness of sweet fruit evenly balanced throughout. It retains nice freshness and is going to drink well now or over the next 5-6 years.

Slightly spiced cherries on the nose, a touch of heat and pink peppercorn with floral accents too. Something a bit ferrous about the nose; blood orange and wet stones. Broad and wide, this has impact in the mouth, tannic but plump and juicy yet keeping a straight line from start to finish so it has tension as well as body. Crystalline and pure, gorgeous refinement with plenty of tasty pleasure on offer. Lovely tension and drive still on the finish, ending with an iron tang. Delightful.

Cerequio is an iconic cru and does not disappoint. Immediately aromas of warmed cherries, mint, eucalyptus and mixed spices breeze in and out of the wine while savory and earth notes try their best to be noticed. Tannins are so well-crafted, they provide a strong foundation but feel light as a feather while fruit, herbs and earth flavors create a triumvirate that would make ancient Rome blush.

Pure and nervy minerals entice the nose with savory, salted plums and oranges. Plenty of fruit and structure at the same time on the palate. The tannins are chalky and resolved, leaving a tight, long and not overly austere finish.

The 2019 Barolo Cerequio is plump, juicy and super-expressive. Macerated cherry, spice, new leather, rose petal and blood orange lend nuance to this supple, inviting Barolo from Chiarlo.