Giacomo Conterno Cerretta Barbera d'Alba 2020

Giacomo Conterno Cerretta Barbera d'Alba 2020 is a powerful, site-specific Barbera from one of Piedmont’s most revered traditional producers. Sourced from the high-quality Cerretta vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba, this wine shows just how serious and ageworthy Barbera can be in the right hands. It combines intensity, structure, and finesse, offering a more profound expression than most wines of this grape.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Cerretta Barbera d’Alba shows a deep, vibrant ruby color with purple hues at the rim, hinting at both concentration and freshness. The nose is pure and lifted, with aromas of ripe black cherry, blackberry, and plum supported by notes of violet, dried herbs, licorice, and a subtle mineral edge. With air, more complexity emerges: hints of spice, tobacco leaf, and a gentle, savory earthiness. On the palate, this Barbera is full-bodied yet finely balanced by vivid acidity, a hallmark of the grape. Dark berry and red cherry flavors are layered with graphite, bitter chocolate, and a saline, stony nuance that clearly reflects the Cerretta site. The tannins are firm but refined, giving the wine a serious structure that sets it apart from softer, more easygoing Barberas. While already approachable with some aeration, this 2020 has the depth and backbone to evolve beautifully over 8–12 years, gaining further complexity and polish with time in bottle.

Production
The Cerretta vineyard lies in Serralunga d’Alba, one of Barolo’s most prized communes, known for its limestone- and clay-rich marne soils that naturally yield wines of power, tension, and minerality. Barbera from this terroir gains extra structure and depth, while still preserving its natural acidity. Grapes are harvested by hand, with strict selection in the vineyard to ensure only perfectly ripe, healthy bunches make it to the cellar. In keeping with Giacomo Conterno’s traditional philosophy, fermentation is typically carried out in large wooden vats with native yeasts, followed by an extended élevage in large neutral botti. This slow, minimal-intervention approach allows the character of the Cerretta site and the Barbera grape to shine through without excessive oak imprint.

Food & Serving
This is a serious gastronomic Barbera that shines at the table. It pairs beautifully with rich Piedmontese classics such as tajarin with ragù, braised beef, osso buco, agnolotti del plin, and aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano or local toma. It also works well with roasted game birds, grilled lamb, mushroom dishes, and truffle-based recipes, where its acidity cuts through richness and its structure stands up to intense flavors. Serve at 16–18°C; if opened young, decant for 1–2 hours to allow the wine to fully open, soften the tannins, and reveal its layered aromatic profile.

Producer
The Giacomo Conterno estate is one of the great, benchmark names of Piedmont, renowned worldwide for its unwavering commitment to traditional methods and terroir-driven wines. Founded in the early 20th century, the winery built its reputation on ageworthy, long-lived Barolo and has since extended the same rigorous standards to its Barbera bottlings. Based in Monforte d’Alba and working with top sites such as Francia and Cerretta, Conterno is a key reference for classically styled, vineyard-focused wines in the Langhe. The estate’s Barbera from Cerretta underscores its belief that this grape, when grown in top Barolo terroir and treated with the same seriousness as Nebbiolo, can produce wines of remarkable depth, complexity, and longevity.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.