Chris MacLean

9.1

A touch past its prime but showing well overall. Stylistically somewhere between Quintarelli and Ca’ La Bionda. I was expecting a little more funk. Medium bodied (perhaps due to the vintage) with a sleek and elegant texture. — 9 days ago

with Sarah

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

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2023 — a month ago

Joe Carroll

Owner/Wine Director Spuyten Duyvil, Fette Sau, St. Anselm & Gotham Artisanal Provisions

9.0

Old school style — 7 months ago

Brandon Thiessen

9.1

Light, bright, juicy, delicious. Dustiness on the nose makes for a better fit with food. — 3 years ago

James Mitchell

8.9

Elevated yet simple go-to white wine. Bright, warm, graham cracker at the beginning. Sits easy on the back flavors. — 4 years ago

Jenna Whitrock

9.1

Lacked body and was very oaky — 6 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.4

Ultimate pizza wine. It’s not what you expect from the region, but it is so lovely. Tart fruit some of it kind of tropical but also tart. There’s herbs and maybe fresh cut hay, it is so juicy and yet savory. Excellent wine and price. Great example of a natural wine changing the norm of what you think for the region. — 10 months ago

Melissa Rocco

10

Lake Como May 2022 Night 1. Smooth and super drinkable. Light flavor. Went well with pasta with mushrooms, artichokes, park — 3 years ago

Christo Barker

9.3

Very good drinkable food wine, but can also hold up with our food. Good cold or room temperature. One of the few Italian grapes grown well in Napa. — 4 years ago