I received
this important e-mail from Pietro Ratti. See it
here...
Located halfway up the hill overlooking the valley of Barolo, along the
steep slopes of orderly vineyards, lies the Abbey of the Annunziata, a
priceless jewel of the 15th Century. Just as the friars of centuries past
produced wines from the grapes grown below their abbey, wines of incomparable
quality are produced there today. In 1965 Renato Ratti
bought his first vineyard, located right below the Abbey of the
Annunziata, a small plot in the historical zone of Marcenasco.
The respectful yet innovative winemaking philosophy of Renato Ratti lives
on today, thanks to the passion and commitment of his son Pietro
Ratti and nephew Massimo Martinelli. They produce
a wide range of wines, utilizing both time-honored and innovative techniques
in the vineyard and in the cellar, guaranteeing a final product that is
a spiritedly delightful encounter with taste and quality.
“First
and foremost: lavish great care on the
vines to obtain the best grapes possible.
Then, respect those grapes in the cellar so
as to achieve the best wine possible. Balance, elegance, refinement,
complexity: these are
the characteristics that I wish for my wines,
from beginning to end. This is the philosophy passed on to me
by my father and to which
I abide every day, at every vineyard, for
every vintage, on every wine.”
- Pietro Ratti, 2004
Good full red. Subtle aromas of cherry, raspberry,
rose petal, mocha and brown spices, with hints of tar and eucalyptus.
Juicy, bright and sharply delineated, with a powerful underlying
spine. Very fresh, classy Barolo with lovely restrained sweetness;
not at all dominated by its new oak. Less forthcoming today than
the 2000 example, but this is distinctly more primary. Finishes
with firm but rather suave tannins and very good grip. 91(+?) points
2001 Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco
(the 2001 Barolos were bottled in July of 2004)
Good medium red. Raspberry, mint, spices, eucalyptus and a hint
of tomato on the nose. Fruit-driven, supple and fairly dense, in
a distinctly approachable style. Good red fruit flavors complicated
by herbs and spices. More intensely flavored than the 2000. There's
still a hint of greenness here, but the wine finishes with sweeter
tannins and very good length. 88 points
