Vietti is absolutely a top estate. Mario Cordero’s robust Barolos and Barberas are world-class and very scarce! The quality is phenomenal and consistent across the entire range. Vietti is the only producer that owns vineyards in the eleven villages permitted to produce Barolo. They were the first to replant the forgotten local white grape “Arneis”. Moreover, they were pioneers in bottling “single vineyard” Baroli. This was the legendary 1961 Barolo Rocche. By being one of the first wine estates to export to the US, Vietti quickly became a major name in the Piedmont region, and now all single vineyard Barolos are released on allocation, meaning only a handful of bottles are available per country. The potential of their wines is unprecedented, and from the best years, this is 30 years+. The Vietti 2020 Barolo Cerequio is a refined and sensual wine from one of the most prestigious Barolo crus, located in La Morra. This wine offers a unique combination of power and elegance, with expressive fruitiness and a balanced structure. The aroma opens with deep notes of dark cherries, followed by dried mint and licorice root, which add a spicy and refreshing dimension. Additionally, there is a subtle hint of navel orange, providing a lively and aromatic lift. On the palate, the 2020 Cerequio presents a velvety and chalky tannin structure, beautifully interwoven with fresh acidity. Although the fruit in this vintage is slightly more linear and less layered than in cooler years, the wine remains beautifully balanced, thanks to the fine integration of ripe tannins and firm acidity. This gives the wine both drinkability at a younger age and excellent aging potential. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in barrique, which contributes to the creamy texture and softer acidity. It then ages for two years in large oak barrels, providing a subtle wood influence and added complexity without masking the terroir. This traditional approach highlights the elegance and finesse of Cerequio, while the wine retains its characteristic structure and aromatic expression. The Cerequio vineyard, located in La Morra, is known for its rich and calcareous soils, which produce an exceptionally elegant and refined style of Barolo. This terroir yields wines with silky tannins and a delicate floral touch, but also with deep concentration and a long finish. The Vietti 2020 Barolo Cerequio will continue to develop over the next 15 to 25 years, during which the fruity and spicy aromas will evolve into deeper notes of truffle, leather, and dried flowers. This Barolo is best enjoyed with elegant yet flavorful dishes such as risotto with Porcini mushrooms, truffle pasta, slow-cooked beef, or roasted rack of lamb. This wine will also shine with hard-aged cheeses such as an aged Pecorino or a 36-month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano. With only 3,866 bottles produced, the Vietti 2020 Barolo Cerequio is a rare and coveted expression of one of the finest terroirs of La Morra