Luigi Baudana is one of the last garagiste estates still operating in the Langhe region. It is also the smallest of all the VinConnect Piemontese wineries. In 2009, Francesca, Isidoro and Guiseppe, the three children of famed Aldo and Milena Vajra of G.D Vajra, joined the Baudana family to bring new energies and an uncompromised respect to this story.

This wine is not as simple as it seems at first. On the nose it shows an assertive, floral style with subtle fruit, violets, restrained roses, vibrant red currants, cherry stones, licorice and dark spices. Austere on the palate, with crisp acidity, a full body and firm, dusty, youthful tannins. It’s not easy at the moment, but it’s of good quality. It deserves a lot of time for its huge structure to resolve. Best from 2030. Date: Jan 2025; Rating: 96 Points; James Suckling

Starting off a bit slower than the other wines in this flight, the Luigi Baudana 2021 Barolo Cerretta is quite nervous and tightly wound at this point. Cerretta in Serralunga d’Alba is known for its powerful, age-worthy wines. Despite that initial shyness, this bottle does reveal layers of sweet fruit, grenadine and tart cherry. The wine is nicely balanced with chalky, elegant tannins. Date: Jan 2025; Rating: 95+ Points; Monica Larner; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

The 2021 Barolo Cerretta is the most classically Serralunga of the three wines this year. Bold, searing tannins support a core of dark-toned fruit. Graphite, lavender, cloves, incense and licorice add to an impression of virile intensity. All this needs is time to soften a touch. Date: Jan 2025; Rating: 95 Points; Antonio Galloni; Vinous