Ceccherini Cristiano

9.3

Marcenasco is the first site where Ratti started to make Barolo. When he was still in Brazil working for Cinzano a certain Bruno Giacosa selected the location for him.
Renato Ratti is arguably the most important person for the development of the reputation of Barolo the way it is now.
He was the first to map the vineyards, pointing out the best crus; he spread the use of the Albeisa bottle in the consortium after studies on old book. He made Barolo become a DOCG.
He just saw and achieved what others could only smell.
He is the most highly regarded innovator of the area and everyone looks up to his memory.
Disappeared too early in 1988, he left to his son Pietro an incredible legacy.

The winery is located in La Morra, nonetheless their wines age fantastically specially the Marcenasco that drinks quite well early, like this example from 2020, but will also benefit from 10 + years in the bottle.
Tannin is smooth, fruit is there and we see some balsamic and floral already.
Only at the beginning of the journey. — 23 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Unreal old school Nebbiolo nose. Chestnut, dried leaves, desiccated mid season cherry skins, sour early season cherry and some tar. Only just open and usually needs 3 hours but forward aromatically for a young Valgella. Charcoal and burning embers. Such a wine of place. Unreal concentration and density. Juicy and forward for a young Valgella. Dense and thick but so fresh. Damp leaves, soil tones and tremendous lift. Ripe but substantial tannins. Grape and old chestnut. But really fans out on the finish. Great stuff!! — a month ago

Zach D

9.4

When initially opened, it was tight and I was hit in the face with tannin and acidity; obviously too young, decanted 1.5 hours and opened with aromas of licorice, anise, dried red flowers, tar, red berries. Palate evolved over 2.5 hours. Licorice, dried strawberry, forest floor, cranberry; still high acidity and tannin. Excellent wine, and has that sweet fruit profile absent of any residual sugar, which is always fascinating to me; blows lots of 60 dollar Barolo and barbaresco out of the water; I would let rest until at least 2027, and at that point I would expect a stunner. @Lyle Fass — 2 months ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.4

We opened two different botlles and the first showed very young, still on the fruit(as it should be i think for a 2020) and vibrant
Second bottle looked more tertiary with a even more bricky appearance and scents of licorice, mushroom and tar.
Both where very fascinating, but at different stages of their life i would say.
Both had an intense explosion on the nose with the classic Rocche dell'Annunziata rose petals character.
Maybe we were just lucky to see the present and the future of this wine. — 23 days ago

Dave Clinton

8.9

The 2nd bottle of the 2025 smallmouth smackdown. A very baseline Barolo, nothing spectacular. Pairs well with peanut butter M&Ms... — a month ago

Cristina M

9.0

A beautiful shock of garnet, this thin and clear Barolo is lovely, but a little more of a bite than I’d hope for this vintage. The aftertaste lingers nicely (with a light woody flavor), but doesn’t have as smooth of a finish as I’d prefer. It’s still a beautiful wine and love that it comes in a 375 ml bottle. — 2 months ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.2

Stainless steel version
Pure varietal
When you pour it the colour is bright, luminous
I reckon nebbiolo has the most sensual appearance ever..you can tell i am getting excited
Fruit here is sourced from Roero so the expression is slightly darker on the nose.
Tannin is smooth
Excellent stuff, truly elegant — 23 days ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.1

Stainless steel version
Very true to the traditional style
Fruity, fresh, juicy, long
No brainer, just a great wine. — 23 days ago

Anne Richardson

8.9

A wonderful Italian wine. Very dark in the glass with great aromas on the nose. Flavors of cherry, blackberry and black currant. Paired it with some bold cheeses. — a month ago

Inseon Hwang

9.3

Muscato honeycomb, beeswax, apricot, passion fruit — 4 months ago