Ratti
Cascina Chicco
Riserva Ginestra Barolo Nebbiolo 2012
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
Renato Ratti
Ochetti Langhe Nebbiolo 2023
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. — 2 days ago
Pio Cesare
Barolo Nebbiolo 2014
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
Renato Ratti
SERRADENARI BAROLO DOCG Nebbiolo 2020
More of a mid-weight, approachable vintage, not quite the highs of 2019, but a pleasure to drink, particularly after a day’s air — 2 months ago
Renato Ratti
Battaglione Barbera d'Asti 2023
Enjoyed in Maui. Herbal and oaky nose. Low tannins. High acidity. Smooth but short finish. — 6 months ago
Jay Kline
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. — a day ago