Barolo Serradenari DOCG 2019 Renato Ratti

Here's an exciting new submission from the house of Ratti. Serradenari is a large MGA and one of only a few cru sites that exist on the western slope under the village of La Morra. The 2019 Barolo Serradenari has a more botanical-smelling bouquet, and by that I mean that it has lavender bud, thyme, aniseed and the kinds of flowers and herbs that you might find in a fragrant garden. It is nuanced and delicate and framed by a light note of ash or crushed limestone. It finishes quite firm or edgy. Only 6,000 bottles were made.

Very perfumed with orange peel, hibiscus, and sliced strawberry aromas that follow through to a full body with layers of tannins and a juicy and chewy finish. A little traditional but solid. Give it time. Try after 2027.

A sumptuous style, this red exhibits smoky cherry, raspberry, iron, tobacco, eucalyptus and oak spice flavors that are allied with a dense structure, with firm, dusty tannins. Terrific length reveals this wine's potential. Best from 2027 through 2047.

The 2019 Barolo Serradenari is a new wine in this range. Bright, focused and translucent, it captures all the energy of this high elevation district. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, white pepper, kirsch and orange peel are all nicely delineated in this super-classic, mid-weight Barolo framed by nervy tannins. This is a fine debut. Ratti appears to be a bit in transition these days. The Barolos have moved towards a more midweight classic style than in the recent past, but not all the wines are there just yet. There is a new Barolo from the Serradenari cru this year, while the Conca will now be released later, as a Riserva