Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2019 (750ML)

95 KO / 95 WE / 94 WA / 93 JS

#71 Kerin O'Keefe Top 100 Italian Wines of 2023

Camphor, iris, spice and flinty aromas shape the nose. Elegant and linear, the lithe, fresh palate offers ripe cranberry, blood orange and star anise enveloped in polished tannins. It closes on hints of bitter almond and saline. Drink 2025–2029. Abv: 14%-Kerin O’Keefe

This Barolo is defined by its purity of tart red fruits that interplay with more delicate aromas of dried flowers and savory spices. The palate is sturdy and structured with a solid core of ripe cherries mixed with dried tea leaves finishing with vibrant acidity. — Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast

From vineyards just outside this modern winery with external wood paneling and sleek architectural lines at the bottom of the La Morra ascent, this is Ratti's best-known wine and also its biggest production with 70,000 bottles made. The 2019 Barolo Marcenasco shows the benefits of a stylistic rejigger that prizes subdued elegance and finesse. The wine is visibly leaner in appearance and it opens to ethereal tones of blue flower, dried cherry, blood orange and chalky mineral. These little tweaks have opened an exciting new chapter for Marcenasco.-Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate

This is very refined and integrated with lots of chewy tannins but they are melted into the wine. Flowers, strawberry and dried orange character. Some candied strawberry and watermelon, too. It lacks a tiny amount in the center palate, but still all there. Drink after 2026.-James Suckling