1996 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra
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Domenico Clerico's 1996 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra has had a fascinating evolution. As a young wine, the 1996 Ciabot was a symbol of the times. With its bold, racy profile and explosive personality [character], it also encapsulated Domenico Clerico's outgoing personality. Today, at twenty years of age, the 1996 presents the typical flavor profile of a mature Barolo, with plenty of sweet tobacco, leather, mint, dried cherry and rose petal nuances. The new French oak (around 90% at the time) is mostly felt in the wine's tannin profile. Much of the intensity the 1996 showed as a young wine has receded. What remains is a very pretty, expressive Barolo to drink now and over the next few years.
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Average Score
The Wine Advocate
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
This is a spectacularly powerful, rich, concentrated wine. The 1996 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra possesses a deep, dark purple color, and a nose of over-ripe plums, cherries, and cassis. Rich and full-bodied, with admirable glycerin, subtle oak, and licorice/floral nuances, it is a large-scaled yet beautifully balanced Barolo to drink between 2004-2018. One of the most gifted winemakers in Piedmont, Domenico Clerico has fashioned this riveting wine from the vineyards surrounding the village of Monforte d'Alba. Clerico utilizes rotary fermenters, and new oak. This a wine of extraordinary richness, amazing aromatics, and a sensual personality that satiates both the hedonistic and intellectual senses. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411
1996 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra—The 1996 Ciabot Mentin Ginestra is a wine of extraordinary balance. It displays a captivating, nuanced nose of menthol, spices, cocoa, oak, and licorice followed by layers of dark fruit that continually unfold in the glass. The tannins have softened somewhat, but this remains a young wine in need of a few more years of cellaring. If I had to pick one wine that captures this producer at his very best, the 1996 Ciabot would be at the top of my list. I fell in love with this wine when it was released and it never ceases to amaze for its superb elegance and harmony. Antonio Galloni, In the Cellar # G6 Jan 2006
This is a spectacularly powerful, rich, concentrated wine. The 1996 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra possesses a deep, dark purple color, and a nose of over-ripe plums, cherries, and cassis. Rich and full-bodied, with admirable glycerin, subtle oak, and licorice/floral nuances, it is a large-scaled yet beautifully balanced Barolo to drink between 2004-2018. One of the most gifted winemakers in Piedmont, Domenico Clerico has fashioned this riveting wine from the vineyards surrounding the village of Monforte d'Alba. Clerico utilizes rotary fermenters, and new oak. This a wine of extraordinary richness, amazing aromatics, and a sensual personality that satiates both the hedonistic and intellectual senses. Aug 1999, www.robertparker.com