Ceretto
Barolo
Barolo DOCG
2019
Vintage
Varietal
Nebbiolo
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
Too Young: holding.
In 2026, the Ceretto 2019 Barolo is one year from opening its drinking window. The window opens in 2027, with peak arriving in 2031. The 2019 Barolo vintage earned a Wine Spectator Classic rating of 97 for producing structured, aromatic Barolos from a cool growing season that extended into a late harvest, with heat spikes countered by well-timed rainfall. That weather profile shows in the wine today: the 2019 Ceretto is more fragrant and forward than the younger 2021, with rose petals, white truffle, and juicy cherry already visible through the still-firm tannins. Approaching its window in 2027, this wine is on the threshold of approachability. Collectors can open it in 2027 with patience, or wait until 2031 for peak expression that runs through 2043.
The ‘19 Barolo.
Ceretto 2019 Barolo opens its drinking window in 2027 - a WS 97 Classic already showing fragrant white truffle and rose complexity, with a peak spanning from 2031 through 2043.
Drinking window
Tasting note
The 2019 Ceretto Barolo is a fragrant, classically structured wine with exceptional aromatic detail. The nose opens with rose petals and tuberose-like florals, followed by cigar box, white truffle, and a suggestion of eucalyptus that adds unexpected freshness to the Barolo profile. Red forest berries, juicy cherry, and plum build on the palate alongside notes of meat, tar, and iron that emerge through the mid-palate - the combination of mineral and fruit that signals serious Nebbiolo. Soft baking spice and cedar appear on the finish, which is long and persistent with cherry and berry fruit. The tannins are firm and youthful, defining the current stage of development and the patience required before the window opens in 2027.
The 2019 vintage
The 2019 Barolo vintage earned a Wine Spectator Classic rating of 97, reflecting a growing season that combined cool temperatures and a late harvest with occasional heat spikes that were moderated by well-timed rainfall. The cool season gave Nebbiolo extended time to develop its characteristic aromatic complexity - the rose, tar, and mineral profile that defines the variety - while the rain events prevented the over-ripeness that can flatten Barolo in warmer years. Harvest extended later than the regional norm, and the resulting wines were structured for long aging while showing greater aromatic expressiveness at younger ages than the more concentrated 2021 vintage.
About Ceretto
Ceretto is a family estate in Alba that has shaped the Barolo DOCG since the 1970s under Marcello Ceretto and now managed by the next generation including Alessandro Ceretto and his siblings. The winery's holdings span multiple Barolo communes - Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d'Alba, La Morra, and Barolo itself - giving the village-level Barolo a breadth of terroir expression not possible from a single-commune estate. Extended maceration on Nebbiolo's thick skins extracts the structural tannin that defines the variety, followed by aging in French barriques and large Slovenian casks depending on the parcel. The estate's village Barolo represents the house's whole-appellation interpretation. Explore the [Piedmont wine region](/wines/region/piedmont) or compare with [Ceretto Barolo Bricco Rocche 2021](/wines/ceretto/barolo-bricco-rocche/2021) for the estate's flagship single-vineyard bottling.
From the cellar: pair with
Slow-roasted Piedmontese beef with rosemary
At peak, this Barolo's high tannin level and tar-and-rose aromatic complexity demand the protein richness and fat of slow-roasted beef, a pairing rooted in Piedmontese tradition.
White truffle pasta with butter and Parmigiano
The wine's white truffle aromatic signature creates a natural harmony with truffle-dressed pasta, with the wine's firm acidity cutting through the butter richness.
Braised rabbit with olives and herbs
The wine's persistent cherry and berry fruit and mineral iron finish find a balanced partner in braised rabbit, with the acidity lifting through the braising liquid to maintain freshness through the meal.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 62-65F (17-18C)
- Decanting
- Do not open until 2027 at the earliest. When the time comes, decant 2-3 hours minimum to begin unwinding the tannic structure. At peak from 2031 onward, a 90-minute to 2-hour decant will be the standard.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, stored horizontally.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Barolo DOCG
Frequently Asked
When can I start drinking the Ceretto 2019 Barolo?
The drinking window for the 2019 Ceretto Barolo opens in 2027, one year from now. In 2026, the tannins are firm and the wine is not yet at its best. Opening in 2027 with extended decanting is the earliest recommended drinking. Peak expression begins in 2031 and runs through 2043.
How long should I decant the Ceretto 2019 Barolo?
When the window opens in 2027, plan for a minimum 2-3 hour decant. Young Barolo of this vintage quality needs extended air exposure to begin unwinding its tannic structure and allow the aromatic complexity - rose, white truffle, eucalyptus - to fully emerge. At peak from 2031 onward, a 90-minute to 2-hour decant is the standard.
How does the 2019 Ceretto compare to the 2021?
Both vintages are Wine Spectator Classics: the 2019 earned 97 points and the 2021 earned 99. The 2019 shows more aromatic expressiveness at a younger age - the rose, white truffle, and floral character is more visible now than the 2021's tighter structure. The 2021 is built for longer aging with a more concentrated tannic backbone, while the 2019 enters its window one year earlier.
What food pairs best with the Ceretto Barolo 2019 at peak?
At peak from 2031 onward, the high tannin level and tar-and-rose complexity of this Barolo pair best with protein-rich Piedmontese preparations - slow-roasted beef, braised lamb, white truffle pasta, or aged Parmigiano-Reggiano. The wine's distinctive white truffle and eucalyptus aromatic signature makes truffle-focused dishes a natural match.
How should I store the Ceretto 2019 Barolo?
Store at 55F (13C) with 60-70% relative humidity in a location free from vibration, temperature fluctuation, and UV light exposure. Keep the bottle stored horizontally to maintain cork moisture. With hard decline approaching around 2050 and a peak window from 2031 through 2043, this wine rewards long-term cellaring of up to two decades.