2015 Barolo Rocche Dell´Annunziata Renato Ratti

A chewy and polished red with berry and tile character and hints of plums. Medium-to full-bodied. Chewy tannins that are polished and firm. Very pretty. One of the best ever. Better after 2021.

Pietro Ratti's 2015 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata is the most structured and firmly textured of the Barolos presented in this tasting of new releases. This wine is tight and compact at its core, but it needs a little prodding and swirling of the glass before it hints at the grandeur and the layering of fruit nuances embedded in its very DNA. Just give it time, this wine requires a little extra patience before it fully blossoms. All those beautiful Nebbiolo complexities are hidden just below the surface and will emerge with more bottle aging. Only 5,000 bottles were made. 2022 - 2040.

This red exudes macerated cherry, strawberry, rose and subtle incense aromas and flavors. Elegant, though firmly structured, with fine balance and well- integrated tannins. Fruit, licorice and spice accents linger. Best from 2021 through 2036.

This is a classic La Morra wine from a classic producer, albeit one with modernist leanings. Pietro Ratti isn't looking for extreme extraction or power, but aims for finesse. The oak is discernible on the nose but lively aromas of cherries and violets still pierce through. It's full-bodied, with ample weight of fruit and an underlying softness that's fortunately balanced by its concentration of fruit. The tannins give some structure and persistence.