Barolo Gavarini Chiniera, Elio Grasso 2019

With vines adjacent to forests on white chalky soils, the Elio Grasso 2019 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is a luminous and very beautiful wine. Vintner Gianluca Grasso called this "the helicopter vintage" because he actually rented a helicopter to fly over the vines for 45 minutes to dry them from rain right before harvest. As he tells it, this was a costly but good decision because 15 minutes after he finished harvesting on October 26, heavy rain came and lasted an entire week. Thanks to these dramatic measures, the grape skins were excellent, and maceration with submerged cap lasted 55 days. That's how perfect the skins were. This balanced wine shows extreme precision and elegance. 2025-2055

Vintner Gianluca Grasso of the Elio Grasso winery describes 2019 as "a vintage for cru wines." Phenolic, sugar ripeness and all the necessary elements fell naturally into place. The stems were mature, and seed color had turned brown by harvest, as desired. Nebbiolo was picked during the second to the last week of October.

Monforte d’Alba – Ginestra. Lustrous mid ruby. Balsamic and a little ethereal on the nose, with perfumed morello cherry and cinnamon bark. Layered and complex. Gorgeous, succulent cherry palate with chewy tannins. Ready now but will age. Drink 2023 – 2036