Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Chiniera 2020
- v97
- jd97
- js94
Category | Red Wine |
Varietal | |
Brand | Elio Grasso |
Origin | Italy, Piedmont, Barolo |
Other vintages
According to Gianluca Grasso, it’s all about the soil. He insists that the winemaking has minimal effect; it’s that sandy, calcareous soil of Monforte that is responsible for his world-class wines. He may be a bit humble-- it takes a steady hand to tame this wild fruit. Winemaking techniques certainly run the gamut in Barolo — from fleshy, dark, modern-style wines to more aromatically-driven, earthy, tannic examples. Often, the best wines are somewhere in the middle, and no producer in the region seems to find a better marriage of elegant aromatics and lush, powerful fruit than Gianluca and his father Elio.
The vineyards of Elio and Gianluca Grasso are situated in some of the best land in all of Piemonte, within the commune of Monteforte. The vineyard Gavarini is a fabulous site for Nebbiolo, due to its perfect exposition and its chalky, limestone-rich soil. The Gavarini displays high-toned, bright fruit aromas with a touch of spice and oak. On the palate it is rich, generous and smooth, with a mineral element that is unique to Gavarini. The length and depth are remarkable; expect long life in a proper cellar.
Vinous
- v97
The 2020 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is every bit as impressive as it was a year ago. It shows all of the strong exotic citrus and spice character I saw back then. On the palate, I find the 2020 a bit closed today, which is probably a good sign for its long-term prospects. This is certainly not an easygoing or open-knit 2020. Readers should plan on being patient. The Gavarini Chiniera is a Barolo of substance and presence.
Jeb Dunnuck
- jd97
From 35-year-old vines and boasting a jeweled red color, the 2020 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is ripe and fruity on the nose, with a lot of spice to balance it out, revealing notes of baked red cherries, leather, toasted cedar, pine, and menthol. Medium-bodied, it offers a lot of freshness on the palate, with fine, approachable tannins and good, even freshness and acidity. Compared to the Case Mate, it has a more linear feel and offers a clean stony texture and more orange citrus fruit. It feels very balanced, and while it has a stamp of oak spice, it's well-integrated. Give this another six months or so in bottle and drink it over the next 15 or more years.
James Suckling
- js94
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.