2021 Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG, Italy Valdespino composed of 40+ year-old vines

composed of 40+ year-old vines in the area called ‘Chaffangeon

Federico was one of the first winemakers to work with spontaneous fermentation in Barolo

Vineyard Area: From gently sloped vines in Oliveira do Hospital

A week of skin contact brings out the floral and lychee notes

they converted all of their parcels to biodynamic farming

2021 Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG, Italy Valdespino composed of 40+ year-old vinesThis is a stunning set of wines from Elio Grasso. As always, I tasted the 2021s next to the preceding vintage, which provided a terrific opportunity to compare the wines. I found the 2020s just as compelling as they were last year. The 2021s are the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. While many 2021s offer a good deal of relatively early approachability, the 2021s here require cellaring. Interestingly, today the Ginestra Casa Mat and Gavarini