Renato Ratti Barolo DOCG Conca 2017
97 POINTS: James Suckling
94 POINTS: Antonio Galloni, Vinous
The small Conca vineyard (6900 mq) is the hollow of the Abbey of Annunziata (our Lady of the Annunciation). It's one of the oldest sub zones of the entire Barolo District, an area already appreciated by the Benedictine Monks starting from the XII century. It's blue marl soil and the particular microclimate give a good power and long life. Growing here is the purple red "Anemone Coronaria" flower, a one-of-a-kind rarity in the entire Langhe region. A great wine.
"Very floral with lavender, violets and dark fruits. Medium to full bodied with tannins that build on the palate. Very long and intense. Transparent fruit and evident terror."
— James Suckling
"The 2017 Barolo Conca is laced with the essence of dark cherry, menthol, licorice, lavender, cloves and leather. Ample and deep, yet also super-classic, the 2017 Conca is incredibly harmonious in the early going. Even in this warm, dry vintage, the Conca is one of the most transparent, classic Ratti Barolos I have tasted in some time."
— Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"With fruit from La Morra where this historic winery is located, the Renato Ratti 2017 Barolo Conca is balanced and quite elegant, showing no overt signs of ripeness that could be expected of this hot and dry vintage. This bottle circumnavigates those hot-vintage pitfalls with graceful coordination. Wild cherry, crushed flowers, smoke, tart and crushed flint all emerge from the bouquet. The wine shows sweet fruit, but there is an equally measured point of salinity to balance it out. If anything, the mouthfeel in 2017 is a bit drier compared to past vintages."
— Monica Larner, RobertParker.com
"Blue flower, botanical herb and French oak aromas come to the forefront. The full-bodied, elegantly structured palate offers dried cherry, pomegranate, licorice and crushed mint framed in taut, close-grained tannins. A mineral note evoking saline lingers on the firm finish."
— Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast Magazine