A vertical tasting of Ratti’s wine

Pietro Ratti belongs to that group of producers everyone who knows enough about the wine world will know by reputation. A closer encounter has let us enter, for a moment, in his universe. Every producer has a unique story, but not always this is intertwined with that of the territory in such a profound and decisive way as that of the Ratti family. When Renato accepted, just after getting his Oenology diploma, to manage Cinzano in Brasil, he certainly didn’t think he would be one of the protagonists of the oenological turning point that took place in the Langhe in the mid Seventies.

A forerunner but also a writer, an historian and a communicator, he was the first to classify the historic subzones of Barolo and Barbaresco and to edit the list of the Barolo vintages. After visiting Bourgogne he understood before others the importance of a separate vinification for each single vineyard. On his same wavelength, his son Piero inherited his passion and entrepreneurial skill, giving the winery a further propelling thrust, placing it among the most important wineries in the Langhe, and thus in the region.

The wines tasted are the fruit of this story and of these vineyards that appear in all their beauty from the huge window in the vast tasting room. The Le Rocche dell'Annunziata (subzone) vineyard, the object of the tasting, is located in the extensive (30 hectares) and historic area of Marcenasco in La Morra. Some other important producers have their vineyards there, among whom: Oberto, Scavino or Voerzio, just to name a few. The particular structure of the soil (marls with sandy veins) gives to the wines particularly elegant scents, often floral.

Barolo Rocche 2008
The nose of the last born is being defined and is still conditioned by the sweet notes of the oak and is very fruity. The tannic texture is tight and prominent, it is very young and impetuous. Time will tame it, but it is already pleasing.

Barolo Rocche 2007
It expresses the hot vintage when it was born. Sweet fruit with very pleasant spicy veins. On the palate it seems more ready than one would expect, the tannins are rather smooth but the impression is nonetheless very enjoyable.

Barolo Rocche 2006
Just a hint of tertiary notes then black fruits, liquorice and subtle floral scents. On the palate it is austere, showing the young character with lively and dense tannins. The passing of the years will certainly make this a great wine.

Barolo Rocche 2005
A complex nose that shows tones of black fruit and notes of laurel and rosemary. The impression on the palate is very consistent and fleshy. The fresh vintage would make one think of rough-edged tannins, but in fact they’re nicely smooth and very pleasant.

Barolo Rocche 2001
An exceptional vintage and a wine that is no less so: it expresses ripe and complex notes of dark fruits slightly underlined by tertiary notes, then scents of withered flowers, tobacco and delicate mint notes. On the palate it has a rare balance of fruit, acidity and tannins, perfectly and harmoniously combined together, showing that this wine has still a long life ahead of it.