Barbaresco Renato Ratti 1986
This 1986 Barbaresco is a Denominazione di Origine Controllata red wine produced by Renato Ratti in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Piedmont, which literally translates to "at the foot of the mountain," is bordered by the Alps and is globally recognized for its steep hills, particularly in the Langhe subregion. Here, thick autumn morning fog protects the vineyards and ensures a long ripening period. The 1986 vintage in this area received a score of 83 points and is described as dense and slightly rustic.
The wine originates from Barbaresco, a classic area located east of Alba. Production in this zone is primarily centered around the municipalities of Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso, and San Rocco Seno d’Elvio. It is crafted entirely from Nebbiolo, an esteemed Italian grape variety known for yielding elegant wines with significant structural depth, predominantly cultivated in Barolo, Barbaresco, and the wider Piedmont region.
Renato Ratti is a highly influential estate in the modern history of Piedmontese wine. After working for Cinzano in Brazil, Renato Ratti returned to Italy and purchased his first vineyard, Marcenasco in La Morra, in 1965. Three years later, he established the winery in the historic L'Annunziata abbey, which remains the headquarters today. His most groundbreaking contribution was cartographic; he drew the first detailed map of Barolo's cru vineyards, identifying 170 parcels and laying the foundation for the modern cru classification system. Following Renato's passing in 1988, his son Pietro took over the estate, which spans 50 hectares across La Morra, Mango, Costigliole d'Asti, and Dogliani. The estate also houses the Renato Ratti Museum of Barolo Wines, originally opened in 1970 and reopened in 2025.
The wine is presented in a traditional Albeisa bottle and features an artist signature by M. Brandani from 1971, along with the mark "ex coll. E. MOSCA." The main label displays a historical letter dated November 5, 1799, from General Francesco Melas to the Mayors of Barbaresco. In the letter, the General celebrates a victory over French troops near Genola and orders four "carrà" of their finest wine to his headquarters in Bra, noting that one carrà equals ten brente according to 18th-century measurements. The wine was bottled in the production zone and contains 13% alcohol by volume.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Piedmont
Piedmont (which literally means "at the foot of the mountain") is located in northwestern Italy, surrounded by the Alps. It is considered one of the world's absolute most prestigious wine regions. The area is known for small, passionate, family-run wineries and a huge focus on terroir (how the soil and microclimate affect the wine).
Classic characteristics of Piedmont:
The royal wines: This is where the world-famous, complex and expensive red wines Barolo and Barbaresco come from (both made from 100% Nebbiolo).
Everyday heroes: In addition to Nebbiolo, the region is famous for the grapes Barbera (juicy, acidic and incredibly popular) and Dolcetto (dark, soft and fruity).
The white and sweet: Piedmont also makes the crisp white wine Gavi and the famous, lightly sparkling dessert bubbles Moscato d'Asti.
The landscape: Dramatic, steep hills – especially in the Langhe sub-area. The hills are often shrouded in thick morning mist in autumn, which protects the grapes and allows for a long, perfect ripening.
Gastronomy: An absolute mecca for food lovers. The area is world famous for the exclusive white truffles from Alba, hazelnuts and rich, simmered dishes that scream with a glass of local red wine.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
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