Manufacturer: Luigi Baudana

BAROLO DOC CERRETTA
Historically, looking at the old topography military maps, we have found that Cerretta has always stood out from the rest. This is reflected in the uniqueness of the wines coming from this land.
The wines from Cerretta have depth, intriguing complexity and a masculinity of the Serralunga terroir. It can be characterized as austere although it has a certain soft side and sweetness, expressing notes of cocoa and mint. The finish shows its great potential for a long living Barolo.

GRAPE VARIETY
100% Nebbiolo

VINEYARDS
In Cerretta (a top cru in Serralunga) the topsoil shows a very poor organic content. Therefore, the consequent lack of superficial moisture forces the vine roots to dig deep into the ground. The subsoil is primarily formed by a mix of yellow sands and limestone, which date back to the Helvetian geological era.

FARMING
Vajra has always believed in sustainable farming and keeps the turf natural and green in the vineyard. Traditional pruning is practiced as well as using the Guyot mixed system of trellising. Every phase of winemaking, starting in the vineyard, is done by hand. No irrigation is used while green harvest is decided according to the vintage.

HARVEST AND WINEMAKING
Crushing is completed by mid-October.
The Cerretta vineyard distinguishes itself for a very slow starting fermentation, with an extended time of pre-maceration at low temperatures. A post-fermentation ‘cappello sommerso’ [submerged marc] follows for another week in the greatest vintages.
Starting in 2005, Luigi Baudana implemented a more gentle ageing process which includes Slavonian oak and extensive ageing up to thirty-six months prior to bottling. Vajra has strived to keep improving with an even more acute selection of grapes and longer aging.

TASTING NOTES
The result of these conditions is an austere and very mineral expression of Barolo. Aromas of dark cherries and raspberries jump out at you from the glass. Hints of cloves, new leather, iron and menthol add to the depth and intrigue of this wine. Refined and polished, Cerretta has an extra layer of tannins, important structure and a lively acidity which are nearly buried by its exquisitely lush fruit.