2019 Barolo Rocche Dell´Annunziata Ratti

97P+

95P+: The 2019 Barolo Rocche Dell'Annunziata is spectacular. Aged for two years in 25-hectoliter Slavonian barrels, it is flush with woven aromas of licorice, raspberry liqueur, pressed roses, and crushed stones. Full-bodied, with a weightless feel, fine-grained tannins, and fresh acidity, it offers a seamless arch through the mid-palate, without any harsh edges, and is packed with ripe red cherry, cedar, black tea, and dried flowers.

A touch lean, this red still reveals macerated cherry, strawberry, menthol, iron and spice aromas and flavors aligned to a silky texture. In the end, this is austere for now, with a long, kaleidoscopic finish. Better with air, so decant now or be patient.

Lots of dried flowers here give a perfumed nature to it with berries and citrus. Hibiscus water, too. Full-bodied and chewy with lots of tannins and vivid acidity. Subtle plum and strawberry character. Muscular and formed. This needs time.

Pietro Ratti's 2019 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata opens to a delineated bouquet with a mineral note or iodine that dovetails into purple berry fruit and lots of dried red rose and crushed flower. That evident floral imprint is something I often find in the wines that come from this side of La Morra in the south-facing ridge of vines in Rocche dell'Annunziata. With more time in the glass, the mineral note pushes to the forefront of this elegantly contoured mid-weight Barolo. The wine is powerful and tight but beautifully fragrant at the same time.