Barolo Conca DOCG 2016 Renato Ratti

The Renato Ratti 2016 Barolo Conca is another stunning beauty from this leading estate in La Morra. Conca is a prized vineyard, and you will immediately notice light mineral signatures of crushed limestone and chalk suspended delicately over the bouquet, hovering there like a veil. After a few swirls of your glass, you'll find rose, licorice, dark cherry and berry fruit. You can make out some of the oaky spice, but those aromas are very well integrated into the bigger picture here at hand. I tasted this bottle after a double decant and am delighted with these excellent results. Camphor ash and menthol notes create a pretty signature on the close.

I'm not sure when it happened exactly, but the branding of this estate seems to have transitioned from Renato Ratti to Ratti. I mention that for housekeeping purposes, although I have not yet officially changed the name of the estate in our database. To more important topics: I want to underline that this is the finest set of wines I have tasted from Ratti. I double decanted most of my samples and kept them in my cellar (at 55 degrees Fahrenheit) for about a week after they were shipped to me. I found all these samples to be in glorious and pristine condition. The 2016 vintage is a home run for many estates in the Langhe, but the score jump with these Ratti samples is significant and inspiring.

What a beautifully juicy red with plums, chocolate, cedar and some salted nuts. It’s full-bodied with round, soft tannins and a flavorful finish. Savory and fruity. Fantastic. Drink or hold.

A deft touch of oak frames the cherry and strawberry fruit in this elegant red, with accents of tobacco and iron chiming in as it firms up on the finish. The harmony and moderate tannins make this approachable now, and it should evolve over the short term. Best from 2022 through 2035. 250 cases made.

The 2016 Barolo Conca is gracious and elegant, in a style that nicely balances the natural breadth and richness that are typical of Conca, but in the more classically-leaning style that is the norm at Ratti these days. Sweet red cherry, red plum, cinnamon and white flowers add lovely brightness as this inviting Barolo shows off its considerable charms. Best of all, the 2016 will drink well with minimal cellaring. I have to go very far back to remember a Ratti Conca with this much Nebbiolo purity.