95pts 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.

95pts 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.

94pts James Suckling

Sweet-berry, watermelon and candied-lemon aromas follow through to a medium body with firm, silky tannins and a fruity finish. Refined and polished. Fresh for the vintage. Drink or hold.

93pts Wine Spectator

A smooth, balanced red, deftly displaying macerated cherry, plum and currant flavors. Flashes of rose and licorice add depth, while a tobacco element emerges on the lingering finish.

Winemaker Notes

The most serious of the wines from Clerico every year, the most powerful in concentration and structure of the three single vineyards offered. The name of this wine reveals the importance of the vineyard: the "Ciabot" is a house among the vines, almost a shelter for tools; while "Mentin" is the owner from whom Domenico bought his plot of land.