2003 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra
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Tasting notes
In this tasting, the 2003 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra comes across as a bit more advanced than the Pajana, which is unusual, as this site is a bit more sheltered from the sun. Typical dark spices, and mentholated, balsamic notes are very much alive in the glass. Still quite voluptuous, the 2003 needs to be enjoyed sooner rather than later, as the tannins will only gain in fierceness as the fruit fades. Even with the hot vintage and all the new oak, the signatures of Ginestra still come through, which is a testament as to just how special this site is.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Good full red with a hint of amber. Reticent but pure aromas of plum and nuts, with a hint of hard candy and some emerging oak char. Offers a lush texture and sweet red fruit flavors, along with some slightly drying tannins that arrive late. This is quite tannic but gained in sweetness with time in the glass. Will require longer aging than the Pajana to become harmonious.
From very close to Pajana but higher, 400 m, and facing south-south east. Lifted nose, quite ethereal. Apparently this wine and Pajana play leapfrog on their respective ageing curves but on the day I tasted the two wines this was the more forward. Some round, appealing, if slightly leafy fruit and really quite friendly compared with Pajana today. Tough finish mind you. Very serious, this wine should certainly get there in the end. This wine seems to have a finer constitution than the Pajana. (JR)
The 2003 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra is even better than the Pajana, with a superbly well-delineated bouquet and deeply nuanced layers of violets, spices, menthol and sweet dark fruit. It fully captures the essence of Ginestra, one of Barolo's greatest sites, in the rich, ripe style of the vintage. this gorgeous Barolo is only in need of further bottle age after which it should drink beautifully to age 20, perhaps beyond. It is one of the highlights of the vintage. Ciabot Mentin Ginestra is made from higher-altitude plots than Pajana and typically offers more aromatic complexity and detail to the rounder expression that is character istic of Pajana.