I had amassed a nice collection of Ciabot Mentin from Domenico Clerico and a couple of weeks ago we tasted these twelve bottles, spanning from 1989 up to 2015 (the first vintage was the 1982).
I really like the wines from Clerico and I have visited the cantina three times over the years. And met Domenico on one occasion, but with his Piedmontese dialect and his ongoing toothache at the time, I didn´t understand much of what he was telling us...
Flight I
1989 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra
A very deep, mature nose with notes of sweet/sour strawberries, rosehips and a hint of mint. A very fine dried up sweetness.
The taste is cool, soft and mature with notes of tobacco, dried cherries and undergrowth. A long, dry, layered finish. Very fine.
95p (tasted 2026/09)
1990 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra
The 90 Ciabot Mentin soars up from the glass with gorgeous notes of ripe black cherries, sugared coffee, licorice and vintage leather. Lovely.
The taste is tight and tight and intense with still some perky tannins, lots of black cherry fruit and a long, forward finish. Bottles like this will go on for 20 years.
96p (tasted 2026/09)
1993 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra
Another stunning 93. I think that 93 is a underrated vintage in Barolo, I have tasted a lot of fine wines from this vintage. And this one is exceptional. The nose is lovely with mature notes of dried roses, orange peel, milk chocolate and cold coffee.
The taste is taut and fine with soft, sweet tannins, gorgeous fresh fruit and a long, dry finish. Perfectly mature.
96p (tasted 2026/09)
1997 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra
A warm, perfumed nose with notes of orange chocolate, warm undergrowth and tobacco. Very fine.
The taste is nicely concentrated with notes of asphalt, dry licorice and dried cherries. Long and fine.
93p (tasted 2026/09)
Flight II
1998 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra
A cool, layered nose with notes of red cherries, red apples and cigarette smoke. Some maturity.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of asphalt, cherry pips and some oak in the finish. A fine warmth.
90p (tasted 2026/09)
1999 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra
A very deep, forest filled nose with notes of mint, ripe cherries and a fine balsamic note. Very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of dried cherries, dark chocolate and asphalt. Very, very long. Great wine. 5+ years.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of dried cherries, dark chocolate and asphalt. Very, very long. Great wine. 5+ years.
95p (tasted 2026/09)
2004 Barolo Ciabot Mentin
A large scaled, open nose with notes of ripe cherries, bonfire smoke, dark flowers and a hint of tomato purée. Very fine.
The taste is tight and seedy with gorgeous black cherry fruit, notes of fine tobacco and asphalt, and a long, long finish. 6+ years.
94p (tasted 2026/09)
2006 Barolo Ciabot Mentin
A high, intense nose with notes of rosehips, ripe cherries, new leather and a fine peppery note. Just stunning.
The taste is rich and concentrated with a gorgeous mix of fruit, tannins and acidity. Truly great. 8+ years.
96p (tasted 2026/09)
Flight III
2008 Barolo Ciabot Mentin
A restrained, tight nose with notes of dark caramel, ripe black cherries and Finnish licorice.
The taste is seedy and dry with notes of tapenade, undergrowth and asphalt. This bruiser needs 10+ years.
90p (tasted 2026/09)
2010 Barolo Ciabot Mentin
A very, very deep, focused and jjust beautiful nose with notes of sweet/sour cherries, plums, bakelite and Zegna leather. Magnificent.
The taste is brilliant with awesome black fruit, finely polished tannins and a long, racy finish. 7+ years.
96p (tasted 2026/09)
2013 Barolo Ciabot Mentin
A deep, refined nose with notes of warm sand, dried cherries, tobacco and Langhe earth. Very fine.
The taste is beautifully structured with notes of fine tobacco, rosehips, chrushed rocks and tiles. Great wine. 5+ years.
95p (tasted 2026/09)
2015 Barolo Ciabot Mentin
A big, steady nose with notes of red and black cherries, licorice and gravel. High and fine.
The taste is tight and restrained with lots of ripe cherries that needs time to come forward. Long and distinct. 10+ years.
92p (tasted 2026/09)
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