Description
Honest expressions of the terroir of Monforte d’Alba, which generally produces a bigger, more tannic style of Barolo than those from La Morra or Barolo itself. Without doubt, Elio & Gianluca Grasso are one of the great producers of Piedmont. Pedigree and class here.
After their 2008 wines topped the charts of Antonio Galloni’s highly anticipated Barolo Report ( “Case Mate” the top rated wine and “Chiniera Gavarini” 3rd top rated wine out of 250 Baroli and all the other top 10 rated wines were 2 or 3 times the price! ) resulted in huge global demand; and coupled with the 2009 yields being down 20% has meant his wines unfortunately are presold before they land on our shores! We were thrilled to be offered a small allocation of their 2009 Barolos. The thing we love about these 2009 Barolos is that they are sumptuous, generous wines reflecting the warm season. They are approachable and can be enjoyed now for up to 10 years rather than having to cellar them for 15 or 20 years in classic vintages like 2008 which requires a lot of patience! Grasso’s nebbiolo wines represent great value for top shelf Barolo.
From the Chiniera vineyard (3 ha) within Gavarini this is more feminine, fragrant, perfumed and fine in style. A month on skins in stainless steel, followed by 30 months in large old Slavonian oak.
“The 2009 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is a beautifully delicate and elegant wine with fruit sourced from 35-year-old vines at 400 meters above sea level. Those higher elevations have helped to shape finely detailed aromas, despite the warmer vintage. Bright notes of pressed rose, violets, licorice, spice, tar and plum all call out your attention. Solid tightness in the mouth slowly relaxes to reveal nuanced flavors of bright cherry, spice and leather. Each time you return to the glass, the wine offers yet another dimension.” Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035. 95 points The Wine Advocate (6/2013)”
