2005 Barolo Rocche dell Annunziata
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Tasting notes
Good deep red. High-pitched aromas of blackberry and bitter chocolate; more like the basic Marcenasco in its fruit quality than the Conca. There's a penetrating quality and enticing minerality to the pure dark berry flavors; this, too, strikes me as Burgundian. Finishes with the densest tannins and the greatest length of these three bottlings, but the tannins are fine-grained and arrive late, coating the teeth. A very good example of the grand cru quality of the Rocche.
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Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2005 Barolo Rocche shows lovely richness and depth in its dark fruit, flowers, herbs and French oak. The Rocche comes together beautifully in the glass, as the tannins soften a touch and the wine gains clarity. High-toned, floral aromatics accompany the fruit through to the long finish.
The 2005 Barolo Rocche shows lovely richness and depth in its dark fruit, flowers, herbs and French oak. The Rocche comes together beautifully in the glass, as the tannins soften a touch and the wine gains clarity. High-toned, floral aromatics accompany the fruit through to the long finish. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. This is a wonderful set of new releases from Renato Ratti, one of Piedmont’s historic names. The 2005s are especially beautiful for their soft, textured fruit and well-integrated French oak, something that hasn’t always been the case in recent vintages. Importer: Dreyfus Ashby & Co., New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770
Deep ruby-red. Darker aromas of brooding berries and mocha. Suave, dry and classic; dense, chewy and full. A big, chocolatey Barolo that finishes quite dry, with big tannins coating the front teeth. Today the Conca is sexier but this is more serious. Pietro Ratti describes the 2005 vintage as elegant and softer, but this has no shortage of structure. Both this and the Conca show a smoky oak component from the 100% new barrique aging, but possess enough supporting material for the wood.