Barolo Bussia DOCG 2015 Ceretto

This is a new wine from Ceretto and a great success for a debut. The 2015 Barolo Bussia comes from one of the largest crus on the map, bordering on the towns of Monforte d'Alba and Barolo, drawing its Nebbiolo fruit from a 7,000-square-meter plot in Bussia Soprana in Monforte d'Alba. Even for such a warm vintage, this wine is as fine and elegant as the other Barolos from this estate. The bouquet seduces with delicate tones of wild berry, white cherry, licorice and truffle. Production stands at 3,500 bottles and 200 magnums.

I write this introduction now that a few weeks have passed since I tasted and reviewed these samples from Ceretto. With the benefit of that distance in time, I can say that no set of wines in this entire article on Barolo and Barbaresco has made a stronger impact on me than these. I am awestruck by the extreme quality, grace and elegance presented here. I have no doubt that this is the strongest set of new Ceretto wines I have ever had the privilege to taste. I notice that all the wines are united by an extreme level of silkiness and spot-on tannic management. It is truly something exceptional. Among these new vintages, we also have a new member of the family. Ceretto debuts its 2015 Barolo Bussia from Monforte d'Alba, now adding a wine from a fifth important township in the Barolo appellation. They already produce Barolos from Bricco Rocche in Castiglione Falletto, Cannubi San Lorenzo in Barolo, Brunate in La Morra and Prapò in Serralunga d'Alba. It's hard to choose a favorite, and all these wines—even the Prapò from heavier soils—deliver that extreme silkiness that caught my eye and won my heart.

Very attractive, finely detailed aromas of roses, licorice, cherries, chalk and cedar here, leading to a smoothly knit palate that delivers fresh, fleshy cherry flavors amid fine, punchy tannins. Long and even-paced. Best from 2022.

Here in its first vintage, the Barolo Bussia is a highly promising wine. Pliant and creamy, with terrific freshness, the 2015 has a lot to offer. In the glass, the Bussia shows lovely textural richness and creaminess, if perhaps a bit less of the detail found in the other Barolos in the range. Hopefully that will come in future vintages, once Alessandro Ceretto and his team gain more experience with the site.