by Louise Boutin
I was fortunate enough to taste the following wines at an event hosted by Ceretto’s Ontario wine agent, Noble Estates Wine & Spirits at the vibrant Shore Club restaurant in the Westin Hotel, Ottawa alongside Head Winemaker Allessandro Ceretto and his assistant, David Fletcher.
‘The land is the soul of our wines’, is still the motto guiding winemaking at Ceretto’s as it has for the past half century. Given their prestigious location in the heart of Langhe-Roero region, a UNESCO world heritage site since 2014, showcasing this unique feature is now a proud tradition. Combined with the visionary approach of the previous generation who in the early 1960’s first introduced the concept of ‘cru’ in this region, it’s now these third-generation artisans perpetuating family traditions along with a contemporary twist reflected in the wines via their organic/biodynamic approach to agriculture, and their winery appearance showcased in the distinctive architecture of their winery sites.
New in Consignment Wine
• The agent informs us all the following wines are presently available, place your order online now, by the case of 6 for any wine via Noble Estates Wine & Spirits for delivery to your home, office or restaurant.
White Wine
90
Ceretto Moscato d’Asti 2016
DOCG Moscato d’Asti $29.99 5.0% alcohol
This pale-yellow, 100% muscat blanc à petits grains, aka Moscato, is irresistibly aromatic—lychee, poached pear, ripe nectarine and white-flower honey. It’s a low-alcohol delight with plenty of spritzy bubbles. There’s also perfect citrus balance on the palate along with replays of aromas plus tangerine and apricot flavours. The fermentation process is interrupted leaving enough residual sugar to consider this a dessert wine. However, it’s a huge hit at brunch or any time of day with both savoury and sweet dishes. (Louie Boutin)
89
Ceretto Blangé Arneis 2016
DOC Langhe $34.99 (729087) 13.0% alcohol
A surprise to many wine lovers, 35% of Piedmont grape production is from white grapes. This single-varietal, biodynamic arneis is clean and fruity with mineral aromas preceding bright palate flavours of green apple, pear, grapefruit and replays of delightful mineral notes. It also shows a desirable spritzy tingle on the palate contributing to the delightful, crisp bite on the refreshing, lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. It’s perfect as an appetizer or on its own—pour with seafood or lighter-styled appetizers. (Louise Boutin)
Red Wine
92
Ceretto Nebbiolo ‘Bernardina’ 2015
DOC Nebbiolo d’Alba $39.99 14.0% alcohol
This 100% nebbiolo shares similar soil qualities as Barolo, its vines grow just outside the boundary. This exudes, fresh red-fruit aromas—cherry, cranberry, pomegranate—further enhanced with fresh rose petals and piquant mineral notes. A velvet-textured wash of juicy red cherry and ripe raspberry flavour pours over the palate with deft balance, fine tannin and refreshing acidity along with hints of anise on the dry finish. This medium-full bodied beauty will cellar, but hard to resist now. Pour with a creamy parmesan, prosciutto and fennel risotto. (Louise Boutin)
• The following Ceretto Barolo 2013 is an example of the classic expression of Ceretto nebbiolo; it’s been produced since 1962. Fruit was sourced from four distinct communes having two different soil compositions, combining the yin and the yang of truly great Barolos.
95
Ceretto Barolo 2013
DOCG Barolo $79.99 (543884) 14.0% alcohol
The complexity and softness of dry rose petals, forest floor and delicate balsamic notes on the nose meet expressive flavours of dried and fresh cherry infused with notes of anise. Full bodied and firm, tannins trail into a long, delectable dry finish enhanced by cocoa powder and cinnamon notes. It’ll develop further with additional cellaring up to 2035 but can be enjoyed now with a three-hour aeration/decant served with osso buco. (Louise Boutin)
96
Ceretto Barolo Cru Brunate 2013
DOCG Barolo $159.99 (97733) 14.0% alcohol
This is from the Brunate landmark vineyard in the commune of La Morra where Ceretto owns five and one-half hectares. A sumptuous complex bouquet greets you with red cherry, licorice, leather, dry rose petals and dry fig aromas. The depth of flavours on the palate is quite impressive—red cherry, dry fruit, earthy truffle and savory herbs impeccably unified with silky-textured tannins, all delivering a long, elegant dry finish. This stunning barolo pours well with braised beef short-ribs and wild mushrooms/truffles. Pour now, after a two-hour aeration/decant, and on to 2035. (Louise Boutin)