Theme tasting from Piemonte with three different grape varities all from the same producer; Renato ratti from La Morra near Barolo .
Dolcetto d'Alba 2008 Colombe by Ratti
The Dolcetto grape is the Beajoulais of Italy; Unoaked , fresh, juicy, no tannins just pure dark fruit with soft taste. Goes well with cheese, pasta and also white fish. Around 5-6€ in La Morra but around 17€ here in Norway. Perfect lunch wine! To be served slightly chilled.
Barbera d'Alba, Torriglione, 2008 by Ratti
This is another easy drinking wine from Piemonte based upon the Barbera grape. Both Dolcetto and Barbera have their "home" in Piemonte with the Barbera being a more rich bodied wine with lots of fruit , spice and warmth. The taste is more complex and longer with harmonious acidity and alcohol. This also goes well with all sorts of pasta, cheese and meat and can also be used with certain white fish pending the sauce. A lovely easy drinking wine costing around 18€ in Norway and around 10€ in Piemonte.
Barolo Marcenasco 2004 by Ratti
This single vineyard Barolo from Marcenasco near La Morra is as all Barolos based upon the Nebbiolo grape. Another grape that is grown predominantly in Piemonte. The wine is kept nearly three years in a mix of Slovanian oak barrels and barriques. The colour is less intense than the Dolcetto and Barbera more medium red with traces of dried fruit, licorice and alocohol. Its difficult to hide the 14% alcohol on this full flavoured and full bodied wine. The wine cries out for meat to match the wine, red grilled mat would be perfect. A big wine but needs about 5 more years at least to shine. This is a "cheap" Barolo at around 30€.
Barolo Marcenasco Conca 2004 by Ratti
This is the same sub region in La Morra as above, but its from an old parcel called Conca. Only 4000 bottles are being produced each year from young vines (11 years old). The wine is matured first in french oak then in Slovanian barrels. It has the same red colour as the one above but the nose (leather, cherries, hint of chocolate) and taste is more balanced with a longer bigger finish which will just improve with time. This is a great wine for the big occasions. To be kept at least for 7 to 8 more years....At 350 NOK or around 40€ the price in Norway is not bad at all.
2004 is a great vintage in Piemonte and although the Barolos are expensive they do not normally get cheaper with time. Also with Barolo they come in two different styles with the modern style giving more approachable wines with less stringent acidity and tannins. Also they should be served in Burgundy glasses to fully expose the bouquet of the wine.
In order to fully appreciate Barolo, some experience with "demanding" wines are required. Unlike Dolcetto and Barbera these wines are more difficult to appreciate when young.
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