Elio Grasso – magnificence has arrived!
I’ve been a long-time fan of the Elio Grasso winery going back to the 1980s, the first vintages I tasted. Each year I cellar a six pack of each of their Cru Barolo’s – Ginestra & Gavarini – along with a magnum or two of Rüncot Riserva (their modernist expression) letting them sleep in the cellar for the right time to pull a cork. It seemed at age 18 this was the right time to check in on this 2001. It had received lovely reviews when released, albeit a bit on the conservative side, but I was pleasantly surprised at how magnificently this wine has blossomed in the bottle. Mind blowing in every way!
2001 Elio Grasso, Barolo, Ginestra “Case Mate” (RT97) Showing a medium ruby garnet, pungent aromatics soar from the glass expressing notes of Morello cherry, rose petal, dried red raspberry and distinct minerality. With time in the glass a head of energy emerges. The palate is exceptionally balanced with classic weightlessness, superb balance and a luxuriously long, extended finish that delivers perfect acidity and sweet ripe tannin. This is now in its peak drinking window and will deliver fabulous drinking for another two or more decades. It has blossomed beyond imagination, showing what this impressive winery is capable of in great vintages. Utterly magnificent! Drink now-2041+
