This time, I pulled from the cellar a 1997 Barolo Brunate from Ceretto — a vintage and a wine filled with nostalgia.
The 1990s were a time of transition in Piedmont, when modernity began to take root. Ceretto was among the pioneering estates that dared to experiment with greater precision, gentler extractions, and a touch of international allure — without ever betraying the soul of nebbiolo.
The bottle has aged beautifully. In the glass, the wine shows a warm brick-red color with an orange rim — fully mature, yet still lively. The nose is generous and complex: dried cherries, rose petals, truffle, leather, and a hint of tar. There’s a fascinating depth, with accents of balsamic, tobacco, and a whisper of autumn forest. On the palate, it’s velvety and full, the fruit still present but now interwoven with tertiary notes. The tannins are soft, rounded, almost powdery — so typical of a well-aged Brunate.
For pairings, my mind goes straight to the classic cuisine of the Langhe: tajarin with truffle, game stews, or even mushroom risotto with Parmesan. This is a wine that calls for simplicity with depth — dishes that let its aromas speak.
The 1997 vintage is now in its perfect drinking window. It has transformed the warmth of the year into silky charm without losing its backbone. This isn’t a wine to cellar any longer — it’s a wine to cherish now, at that magical point where power meets finesse.
A beautiful testimony to what Ceretto already mastered back then: making Barolo with feeling, not muscle.
Discover the available vintages of L'Apparita from Castello di Ama.
Dreaming of exploring mature vintages and rare cuvées?
Join our exclusive Cantina Aperta evenings — we take care of the menu, you curate your own wine experience from our cellar collection.
A presto, Salute!
The bottle has aged beautifully. In the glass, the wine shows a warm brick-red color with an orange rim — fully mature, yet still lively. The nose is generous and complex: dried cherries, rose petals, truffle, leather, and a hint of tar. There’s a fascinating depth, with accents of balsamic, tobacco, and a whisper of autumn forest. On the palate, it’s velvety and full, the fruit still present but now interwoven with tertiary notes. The tannins are soft, rounded, almost powdery — so typical of a well-aged Brunate.
For pairings, my mind goes straight to the classic cuisine of the Langhe: tajarin with truffle, game stews, or even mushroom risotto with Parmesan. This is a wine that calls for simplicity with depth — dishes that let its aromas speak.
The 1997 vintage is now in its perfect drinking window. It has transformed the warmth of the year into silky charm without losing its backbone. This isn’t a wine to cellar any longer — it’s a wine to cherish now, at that magical point where power meets finesse.
A beautiful testimony to what Ceretto already mastered back then: making Barolo with feeling, not muscle.
Discover the available vintages of L'Apparita from Castello di Ama.
Dreaming of exploring mature vintages and rare cuvées?
Join our exclusive Cantina Aperta evenings — we take care of the menu, you curate your own wine experience from our cellar collection.
A presto, Salute!