Vietti Barolo Cerequio La Morra 2019
Vietti is a winery with a rich history spanning almost 150 years. Founded by Carlo Vietti in the late 1800s in the heart of the Langhe, on the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto, the winery was transformed into a high-quality wine producer by Carlo's son, Mario Vietti, upon his return from living in the United States in 1917. In the 1950s, Alfredo Currado, oenologist and art lover, brought new intuitions to the winery, intertwining wine knowledge with art and culture. Vietti produced one of the first Barolo Crus in 1961 and the first vinification of Arneis in 1967. The wines were accompanied by Art Labels starting in 1974, making the Vietti brand an icon and standard-bearer of important revolutions. The winery's commitment, vision, culture and passion have contributed to its growth and recognition as one of the best Italian wine labels. The Krause Family purchased Vietti in 2016 and decided to extend the winemaking properties with new, renowned crus in the denomination of Barolo and Barbaresco. In 2023, the Heritage was taken over by the Krause Family, already owner of the Cellar since 2016 and standard-bearer of the new future of the Vietti brand. Vietti maintains its founding values and looks towards the future with even more promising and stimulating prospects, with each wine being the result of artisanal work and the profound understanding and interpretation of each individual terroir.
Since 1974, Vietti wines have been adorned with specially-designed original works inspired by the wine of that particular vintage. These works include lithographs, xylographies, etchings, silkscreens and linocuts. The print run is the same as the number of bottles produced and the first hundred labels are signed by the artist. Each work is only used once, just for the wine of that vintage. Since the presentation of the 1982 Barolo Villero in 1988, the artist’s labels have been dedicated exclusively to the wines grown on this great vineyard. The idea for these unique labels was conceived by Alfredo Currado and a group of artist friends over a bottle of Barolo Rocche. They believed that wines like these deserved to be graced with labels unlike any other and the idea began to take shape the following day. These art labels have become an iconic part of the Vietti brand, adding a touch of art and culture to their already exceptional wines.
Barolo is a renowned red wine produced in the Piedmont region of Italy. The wine is made from Nebbiolo, a small, thin-skinned red grape varietal known for its high acidity and tannins. Harvesting of Nebbiolo grapes generally takes place in late October, as it is one of the first varietals to undergo budbreak and last to be picked. Barolo wines are required to be solely composed of Nebbiolo, with no exceptions. The Barolo DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) is the highest classification for Italian wines and guarantees specific production methods and quality. Wines from the Barolo DOCG must be 100% Nebbiolo and aged for at least 38 months, with 18 of those months in wood barrels. This results in a wine with a unique flavor profile and exceptional quality.
Vietti's Barolo Cerequio is a premium wine made from grapes grown in the historic “Cerequio” vineyard, one of the most significant MGAs in the entire Barolo winegrowing region. The vineyard is located in the municipality of Barolo, with a southern exposure and a density of around 4600 plants per hectare over an area spanning almost one hectare. The average age of the vines is around 36 years and the soil is rich in limestone and clay, with Marls of Saint Agatha present. The 2018 vintage was the first iteration of this momentous Vietti cru. This wine is a testament to the quality of the grapes and the dedication of the winemakers.
The Vietti Barolo Cerequio La Morra 2019 is a stunning example of a Barolo D.O.C.G. wine made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes. The grapes were harvested by hand on 12 October 2019 and underwent gentle pressing before fermenting for around three weeks in a steel tank, in contact with the skins. The wine was aged for around 32 months in total, in barriques and large wood barrels, before being bottled without being filtered. This wine has an intense ruby-red color and an intense nose, with notes of ripe red berries and fine spices. On the palate, it is full-bodied with fruity (strawberry, plum, cherry) and citrusy notes. The tannins are simultaneously fine and imposing, supporting the wine's enveloping and persistent structure.The finish reveals balsamic notes that further enliven this wine, whose elegance and balance are rare indeed. This wine pairs perfectly with red meat, lobster, game, pot roast and mature cheeses. The Vietti Barolo Cerequio La Morra 2019 is an exceptional wine that showcases the best of the Nebbiolo grape variety and the unique terroir of the Cerequio vineyard.
The 2019 Barolo Cerequio is a worthy follow up to the stellar 2018. Aromatic and deeply pitched, the 2019 races across the palate with remarkable depth and intensity. Crushed red berry fruit, rose petal, mint and cinnamon all open in the glass, but it is the wine’s silkiness and suppleness that impresses most. A kick of acids and tannins puts an exclamation point on the finish. This is a gorgeous Cerequio that takes all the finesse this site offers, and then turns up the volume. What a wine. - Antoni Galloni, Vinous, 98 Points
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Nebbiolo
Country - Italy
Region - Piedmont
Vintage - 2019
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14%
Other - Vegan Friendly
Closure - Cork