2005 Renato Ratti "Marcenasco" Barolo

“Wonderful aromatics. Beautiful and complex aromas of blueberries and citrus fruits. Full-bodied with gorgeous polished, chewy tannins. A toned, fruit-forward beautiful wine that could still use some time.” (05/2013)

“Rocche dell’Annunziata is one of the top five Barolo vineyards. Amazing balance and grace. Intense and lively finish. (ID)” (12/2014)

“Marcenasco really comes through this vintage in terms of power, elegance and harmony. There are spice and herbal notes mixed in with almond, vanilla and allspice. You’ll love the sensation of wholeness and harmony here. Drink this opulent wine with filet mignon with wild mushroom cream sauce.” (04/2009)

“The 2005 Barolo Marcenasco opens with perfumed aromatics that lead to a plump, juicy core of red fruit. The wine possesses notable inner perfume and terrific overall balance in a fresh, accessible style. This is a wonderful set of new releases from Renato Ratti, one of Piedmont’s historic names. The 2005s are especially beautiful for their soft, textured fruit and well-integrated French oak, something that hasn’t always been the case in recent vintages. (AG)” (10/2009)

“Full red. Currant, graphite, minerals and bitter chocolate on the nose. Sweet, fruity and pure, with lovely cut to the dark berry and floral flavors. Bright but nicely integrated acidity. There's something Burgundian about the fruit here. A nicely concentrated Barolo that finishes with a broad dusting of tannins and hints of sweet oak and marzipan.” (11/2009)

“Winemaker Pietro Ratti. After destemming and pressing the juice is undergoes controlled fermentation at 30ºC. This is followed by an average of seven days of maceration then malolactic fermentation in steel tanks which took place in October 2007. The wine was then aged in oak until it was ready for bottling in summer 2008. Bright ruby. Some real evolution. Very gentle and yet is clearly Langhe Nebbiolo. Good stuff! I could imagine enjoying this with Christmas dinner! Very lively and refreshing and punchy and clean. Really quite heartening. 17/20 points (JR)” (10/2009)