2009 Barolo Conca
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Tasting notes
Good dark red. Complex, distinctive nose melds blueberry, licorice, cedar and graphite minerality. Firm acidity and slightly sharp tannins currently give a somewhat musclebound quality to the flavors of blackberry, licorice and spices. But this distinctly tight, gutsy wine is also very intense, with the yield here significantly lower than the basic Marcenasco bottling. This 2009 calls for a good four or five years of cellaring.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Commune of La Morra. Dark ruby with orange rim. Dark and sweetly brooding. Resin notes. Perhaps a little too ripe and easygoing, but with a firm tannic core. (WS)
The 2009 Barolo Conca delivers muscle and dark concentration. It feels large and velvety in the mouth with lingering tones of espresso, black fruit and cola. I can’t help but notice the wine’s exotic, mysterious personality with overtones of Indian or Middle Eastern spice market. This is for those who like a little attitude in their Barolo. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. You can always count on Pietro Ratti for a fine bottle of wine. He is one of the most consistent and bankable producers in La Morra especially for those who enjoy the softer and more sensual side of Barolo. Importer: Dreyfus Ashby & Co., New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770
Ratti's 2009 Barolo Conca is one of the richer, more bombastic wines of the year. Layers of dark fruit, spices, menthol and sweet herbs saturate the palate as this heady, balsamic-infused Barolo shows off its heady personality. Another few years in bottle should help the tannins integrate a little more fully, but I expect the style will always be intense.