Barolo 'Ginestra Casa Maté' Elio Grasso 2018

Barolo "Ginestra Casa Maté" from the Elio Grasso winery is a splendid example of aromatic finesse and elegance well integrated with the characteristic structure and austerity that is the typical expression of wines from the prestigious Piedmont territory. The winery is family-run and was born from Elio's idea in the 1980s to abandon his steady job in Turin to devote himself to life in the fields and the production of Barolo. Thus great labels were born, such as "Ginestra Casa Maté," a great red produced from Nebbiolo grapes grown in the Ginestra cru, one of the most representative hills of the entire Monforte d'Alba area. This area historically gives rise to reds that are more elegant and easier to drink than the Barolos from nearby Serralunga d'Alba. More feminine expressions, less tannic and more played on fruit.

Elio Grasso's "Casa Maté" Barolo Ginestra comes from the Ginestra cru, a three-hectare south-facing vineyard located at an altitude of about 350 meters. The vines, about 40 years old, are trained with the typical Guyot system on medium-textured, calcareous soils tending to clay. The winemaking process begins with alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with frequent daily pumping-over. It is then matured for about 30 months in 25-hectoliter Slavonian oak barrels according to the traditional style of winemaking historically used for grapes suitable for Barolo. Once bottled, it continues its aging in bottle for another 8-10 months before being marketed.

Elio Grasso's "Ginestra Casa Maté" is a wine with an intense ruby red color, tending to garnet with age. The nose presents a whirlwind of intense sensations of ripe red fruit, such as cherry and raspberry, dried flowers, mint and dark spices. It shows off a round and elegant body, still evolving. It has breadth and depth and envelops the palate with great style. The tannin still bites and the freshness is nicely turned on. To be tried in a few years to fully enjoy its perfect expressive maturity.