“As I taste through these wines, it gives me enormous pleasure to reflect on the fact that 2017 was the last vintage touched by the hands of Domenico Clerico.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

It’s what the contemporaries of Da Vinci must have thought having met him. Antonio Galloni sums it up. “Clerico will always be a Giant among Men.” Giant man, towering wines. Amongst a handful who helped elevate Barolo to new heights.

And Wine Spies is proud to present a couple of his masterpieces of art, and history today. These single vineyards of his are never seen under $100. And great vintages often fetch over $200.

Why?

Because just like a Grand Cru Burgundy red, these are wines of the moment. They are like Polaroid photos, ones you look at and say those were the days. They are not photoshop or AI enhanced images of virtual perfection. Like life, and the people you value, they represent a snapshot in time. The pursuit of flawlessness celebrating our mere existence in the universe through senses of smell, taste, and more.

Per Wine Spectator “Clerico, who considered himself more a grapegrower than a winemaker, made rich, dense Barolos from his 52 acres of vines in Monforte. His Barolos from Ciabot Mentin and Pajana in the Cru Ginestra vineyard expressed their sites, showing purity of fruit, minerality and the structure for aging. In 2011, Clerico’s Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra 2006 was Wine Spectator’s No. 8 wine of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year. Clerico took over the winery from his father in 1976. In 1977, he purchased his first vineyard parcel in Bussia, called Bricotto. Ciabot Mentin, Pajana and Mosconi followed… He had very little money in the early days. To age his wines, he bought dismantled casks from Germany, cleaned them and put them back together. But Clerico’s focus was always his vineyards, where he was often found and where he employed organic viticulture. ‘In the last years Domenico was mainly working in the vineyard, because it was the job he loved the most, leaving the management of the cellar to his collaborators,’ said a statement released by the winery.”

Truthfully we did not open a single bottle. With few here to spare, even a sample was not allowed to veteran Agents. The name alone is peerless, as trustworthy as they come. But we did stash away a few for special occasions. In the meantime, please enjoy the glowing reviews for a glimpse at what to expect from a Barolo like these Clerico Crus.

This is not a wine pitch, it’s an offer in memoriam. Whether you chose to add some of these timeless pieces to your collection, or maybe shave some Alba truffles over a simple yet scrumptious Piemontese recipe such as a Sfoglia with 40 egg yolks to pair, and toast to Domenico’s life, or simply ignore them?

The choice is yours…

96 Points – The Wine Independent “The 2017 Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra has perfumed floral notes of iris, rose and very sweet ripe, cherry aromas. It has a wide range of appealing aromas that come and go like notes on the breeze. There is a much, much better texture and weight on the palate than in previous vintages - it is suddenly a superstar! It has a Burgundy-like weight and finesse with very well managed Nebbiolo tannins and is showing beautifully today. What a fitting tribute to Domenico Clerico, a figure famous in Barolo for his great generosity as much as anything else. This was the last vintage overseen by him. Drink 2024-2047.”

96 Points – Decanter “Bright ruby with a garnet rim in the glass, the nose is remarkably classic, with plenty of leafy lightness typical of Barolo. Restrained and filigreed, it hides rich red and dark cherry, rosebud and violet aromas, with liquorice root in depth. The dense and vibrant palate is full of sucrosity, with cherry and tar alongside a violet tinge. The tannins are as much extracted as lavish, noble and ripe, while acid carries the finish of cherry kernel. Astonishing, ageworthy wine. Don’t touch it before 2022, through 2040.”

95 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate “Following a few tweaks to its denomination identity over the years, this wine has returned to its celebrated Ginestra MGA identity, showcasing fruit from old vines in Monforte d’Alba planted in 1978. The Domenico Clerico 2017 Barolo Ginestra Ciabot Mentin is a landmark wine that has forever dazzled and delighted, thanks to the purity and power of its fruit and its fine textural fiber. This 2017 vintage reveals a hint of vintage ripeness with candied cherry and orange peel, but the wine maintains its depth and complexity with plenty of tarry smoke and licorice. Drink 2024-2043.”

95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The 2017 Barolo Ciabot Mentin amplifies the site with its notes of medicinal herbs, raspberry leather, cedar, and gentian root. It offers a savory palate of tea leaf, dried strawberry, and orange rind, while the tannic structure emerges on the back end, but it’s in balance. Hold 3-5 years and drink 2024-2042.”