Elio Grasso - Barolo DOCG - Monforte d'Alba - Cru Vigna Chiniera - 2020

Beloved 95/100 Points Cru Barolo Monforte d'Alba - Ginestra from the 2020 vintage.

Ruby red wine with garnet glints. Original and enchanting aromas of raspberries, cherries, cassis, rose petals, musk and balsamic. The wine is fresh, lively, powerful, with beautiful clearly present tannins in the long lasting aftertaste.

The Gavarini and Chiniera vineyards are located next to each other on the Ginestra hill in Monforte d'Alba. The vineyards are located at an altitude of 320 to 360 meters. The soil type is mainly chalky sandstone. The vineyard is planted with 4,500 vines per hectare. The oldest vines were planted in 1978. The vineyard was partly expanded in the early nineties of the last century. The average age of the vines is 35 years (2024). The vineyard is planted in the form of an amphitheatre.

The grapes are harvested manually from the end of September to the end of October. They are carefully selected for their quality. The grapes are then gently pressed. Fermentation takes place in large steel vats. The must is regularly pumped around. The wine matures for 30 months in large Slavonian oak barrels of 25 HL. The wine is then bottled. The wine refines in the bottle for at least 8 to 10 months before it is marketed.

About Elio Grasso:
In the seventies of the last century, the banker Elio Grasso went to Barolo to lead the family business founded in 1928. Since then, the company has been the heritage of the family, who make the most beautiful wines with great passion and ambition. Elio Grasso makes exclusively Cru wines. In total, Elio Grasso has 18 hectares of vineyards, all located near Monforte d'Alba in the southern part of the Barolo DOCG.

Robert Parker - 95/100 points

Showing a slightly heavier fruit profile from the hot vintage, the Elio Grasso 2020 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera has aromas of strawberry tart with gelatin; there is also a dark tarry note and clean earthy tones. You don't get the floral aromas as much in this wine. The wine is very focused on fruit and earth, with some background spice. It finishes smooth and with length, showing good acidity, and the tannins are present but not overwhelming.

James Suckling 94/100 points

Dense ruby ​​color. Fresh floral character of roses and violets with pomegranate fruit, licorice and spices. On the palate there are velvety tannins, crisp acidity and a biting yet not dry finish. Medium-bodied and quite warming at the end. Drink from 2026.