Elio Grasso Langhe Nebbiolo Gavarini 2012

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. Their style is somewhere between classic traditional and modern expressions of Barolo. Antonio Galloni, Robert Parker’s right hand man writes a little about them:  “Elio Grasso’s wines are made in a unique, crisply articulated style that highlights balance and harmony over sheer power … The Barolos are fermented using the traditional submerged cap method and see a full month of maceration on the skins … Despite all of their success, Elio, Marina, Gianluca and Francesca Grasso, along with their cellarmaster Enrico Marchisio, remain some of the most unassuming, humble and classy people readers will meet in Piedmont.”

From younger vines (1.2 Ha) within Gavarini. Made in a modern style with partial whole-bunch ferment and some micro-oxygenation, to produce a plush, earlier drinking expression of Nebbiolo. Matured in stainless steel.  Very smart offering, beautifully juicy with plenty of allure and character.

89+ points Mike Bennie The Wine Front “…Ripe blackcurrant and red berry fruit perfume, tinged with vanilla and nougat. Juicy, richer fruit profile to taste, concentrated and showing plush tannins that roll to a light, washy, sour acid finishing finish. It’s pretty four-square kind of nebbiolo with rippling, muscular feel, but still reveals cues for the variety in spice, herbal notes and tannic grip.”