This is a very extracted and plush Barolo without being soft. The structure is apparent and currently dominates the palate. This is the first Ratti that I have see, so this has no referent to others, but this is a seriously good wine. It is a bit monolithic at the moment, but the flavors are super-intense and classicly Barolo. Total infanticide now, this will be better in 5 years and drink well for 20+. Score: 92+
Friends brought this to dinner a few weeks ago, Bernsen, (welcome!), and my take on it matches yours 100% I did wonder if it wouldn't be too extracted for me in the long run, but I don't have enough experience comparing young barolos to old barolos let along from this producer to be able to gauge how much would work out with aging.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov