Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The Cerequio vineyard lies 320 metres above sea level. The vines were planted between 1972 and 1990 and grow in clay-limestone marl formed from marine sediments around 9 million years ago, rich in magnesium and manganese. Yields are deliberately kept low, with only 5–6 bunches left on each vine to give depth and concentration.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully selected. Fermentation lasts 20 days in oak vats, with gentle punching down of the cap to extract tannins and polyphenols delicately.
Ageing
The wine is aged for at least 3 years, including 2 years in medium-sized oak casks, followed by further ageing in bottle. It reaches its peak after 5–6 years and can continue to develop for at least two decades.
Vintage notes
2018: the season began with abundant rainfall, which restored the soil's water balance, although the wet spring was a serious challenge for the growers. A hot summer gave the grapes good ripening potential, and the crop was thinned by 30–35% to improve concentration and quality. September was decisive, with mild days and cool nights allowing slow, even ripening until the grapes reached optimal maturity.
Label / history
The vineyard has ranked among the best in the Barolo area since 1880. The estate has made this wine only in exceptional years since 1988. Carlo Petrini described it as the finest concentration of a great cru that the Langhe can express.
