2007 Barolo Riserva Rüncot, Elio Grasso, Piedmont
This vineyard is just in from of the Grasso house and seems to combine the Casa Maté opulence and power with the refinement of Chiniera. Initially closed on the nose - not a huge surprise considering this has only just been bottled after 3 ½ years in French oak. With aeration come notes of orange peel, rose petals and wild strawberry, with no particular sign of all that new oak. This is an amazing wine with huge concentration and a tautness of structure that will release its complexities with time.