Jason Ray

8.9

Very nice medium body. Not as bold as a good cab. Finish was a little dry, but who can go wrong with a Barolo. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Ginestra is arguably one of the most important MGA’s in Monforte d’Alba. It was called out by Renato Ratti back in the early days of Barolo vineyard classification and its home to Gavarini, Chiniera, Rüncot, Pajana and Grassi. As you might imagine, Cascina Chicco’s Ginestra Riserva is more than a Riserva from Ginestra. In fact, the fruit comes from the heart of the single-vineyard known as Grassi which enjoys the best exposure (straight south). However, instead of calling out “Grassi” on the label (which they are entitled to do), Cascina Chicco simply refers to “Ginestra”. Perhaps it’s tradition since Ginestra is so well known. Whatever the case may be, what really matters is that it’s delicious.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over a several hour period. The 2012 Ginestra Riserva pours a deep garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, cranberry, strawberry, compote, tar, roses, dried green herbs, limestone earth, and faint warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The body is fit and the texture is silky, refined. The finish is long and grippy. As one who doesn’t drink a lot of Riservas (they are expensive and sometimes a bit overdone, particularly when the Classico is just brilliant enough) this is a wonderful example that shows a lot of energy and guts for such a solar vintage. Drink now with patience and through 2042. — 7 months ago

Pierre Costa

9.3

Classic Barolo — 6 years ago

Will Stanley

9.2

On the first night, even with a two hour decant, the 2015 Marcenasco from Renato Ratti didn’t show as well as it did the second – by which point it had knitted together much better. It’s an open, expressive Barolo from this much lauded vintage, polished, elegant, accessible now at nine years of age with a promising life ahead. — 4 months ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.2

Interesting to compare these wines tonight. With 3 years of age on the Ratti it shows in the obvious areas. Color is leaning brown. Cherry and rose are giving way to earthy flavors. It's obviously impossible to determine if the younger wine would exceed the Pio Cesare 3 years, but given it's current complexity, I'm giving the nod to Ratti.

92 points — 4 years ago

J. Kim

9.1

Consistent from 2012 and 2013. — 5 years ago

Brandi Bratek

9.0

Great wine for a hearty Italian dish that features meat and red sauce. — 4 months ago

Cathy Levy

9.3

Lovely Barolo, soft tannins and notes of deep red fruit. — 7 months ago

Ned Clark

9.2

Good alone but amazing with food — 5 years ago

Mark Royer

9.5

Maybe first Ratti vintage — 5 years ago