Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Located halfway up the hill dominating the principal valley of Barolo, supported by steep slopes lined by orderly vineyards, lies the 15th century Abbey of Annunziata. Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe berry fruits and pepper spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and strawberry, lively spice, well balanced with savory fine tannins on a medium+ finish ending with mineral character. — 18 days ago

Michel Bougie

9.3

Amazing 2023 with sushi!! — 3 months ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.2

Clear, pale ruby to garnet in color; on the nose, it's clean with medium intensity primary aromas of raspberries, cherries, and roses; on the palate, it's dry with high acidity, high tannins, medium alcohol, full body and pronounced primary flavors of cherry syrup, strawberries, and clay pots with a long finish. This wine is balanced and complex. Overall, I rate this wine as very good. — 5 months ago

with Nellie

Jay Kline

9.3

Ginestra is arguably one of the most important MGA’s in Monforte d’Alba. It was called out by Renato Ratti back in the early days of Barolo vineyard classification and its home to Gavarini, Chiniera, Rüncot, Pajana and Grassi. As you might imagine, Cascina Chicco’s Ginestra Riserva is more than a Riserva from Ginestra. In fact, the fruit comes from the heart of the single-vineyard known as Grassi which enjoys the best exposure (straight south). However, instead of calling out “Grassi” on the label (which they are entitled to do), Cascina Chicco simply refers to “Ginestra”. Perhaps it’s tradition since Ginestra is so well known. Whatever the case may be, what really matters is that it’s delicious.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over a several hour period. The 2012 Ginestra Riserva pours a deep garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, cranberry, strawberry, compote, tar, roses, dried green herbs, limestone earth, and faint warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The body is fit and the texture is silky, refined. The finish is long and grippy. As one who doesn’t drink a lot of Riservas (they are expensive and sometimes a bit overdone, particularly when the Classico is just brilliant enough) this is a wonderful example that shows a lot of energy and guts for such a solar vintage. Drink now with patience and through 2042. — 2 years ago

Joe Lucca

9.0

Gorgeous nose of huckleberries, red currants, sweet bbq spice, chalky minerals, dried orange, and exotic florals. The orange and spice notes carry onto the palate with some clove, crushed red currant, and violets. The orange and mineral notes are oddly reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire. Needs lots of bottle age. Not as concentrated as the Conca that Renato Ratti produces, but still very good. — 9 years ago

Brad Hemmer

9.0

Aromatic, lively, green apple, minerality. — 10 years ago

with Tyler

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2016 | Magnum | Fine Nebbiolo with complex smell, good structured, earthy. Rich, high bitters. Paired with ribeye. — a month ago

Piper June

9.6

Delicious. Smokey raspberry, medium bodied, dry finish, leathery with a whiff of pepper. Buy buy buy again! — 3 months ago

with Seth

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. No formal notes due to the setting but yeah, this was pretty special from the beginning. I have long been a fan of Renato Ratti’s “Marscenasco” however Conca, the MGA for which they are most proud of, has been more modern in recent history, spending some time in French barrique (for the record, I lean traditionalist). On top of that, many 2009 Barolo’s have come across overblown to my palate. Yet this was sublime. Proving, once again that there is always something to learn. The fruit was 2009 powerful but balanced with acid and freshness. There was plenty tar and roses and all the tannin one should expect from Conca. Fabulous stuff. Drink now through 2044. — 5 months ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.2

Interesting to compare these wines tonight. With 3 years of age on the Ratti it shows in the obvious areas. Color is leaning brown. Cherry and rose are giving way to earthy flavors. It's obviously impossible to determine if the younger wine would exceed the Pio Cesare 3 years, but given it's current complexity, I'm giving the nod to Ratti.

92 points — 6 years ago

J. Kim

9.1

Consistent from 2012 and 2013. — 7 years ago

Andrew

8.9

Leather and elegant. — 9 years ago

Nico J. Snyman

9.2

Such a beautifully expressive & high toned Langhe, if only other Langhe's could give back so much at a young age. — 10 years ago

RobertoS

9.3

Still outstanding — a month ago

Lee Hoff

9.2

2021 vintage at NY Butcher Shop. Cherry flavors with soft finish. $80 — 2 months ago

Guy Acheson

8.9

Pretty darn good. — 5 months ago

Paul Masson

9.2

More of a mid-weight, approachable vintage, not quite the highs of 2019, but a pleasure to drink, particularly after a day’s air — 6 months ago

Ned Clark

9.2

Good alone but amazing with food — 7 years ago

Mark Royer

9.5

Maybe first Ratti vintage — 7 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.2

Girlfriend brought gifts from Gallo and poured a blind tasting for me.

Rankings

1) 2006 Clarendon hills blewitt springs Grenache
2) 2006 Clarendon hills Clarendon Grenache

3) 2010 Edna valley winemaker series meritage (this tasted like a mount George merlot from napa)

4) 2013 Renata ratti Nebbiolo

5) 2007 Clarendon hills hickinbotham cab
6) 2014 Renato ratti barbera — 9 years ago