2011 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Case Maté, Elio Grasso, Piedmont

With vines of 40 years old and more, the Ginestra vineyard is enriched with a higher clay content, yielding muscular wines with greater structure. Not as perfumed as the Chiniera, but much more brooding with oak framing concentrated dark fruit and spice, this has a mouth-filling palate with an intense and delectable texture.

Critic score
94.5/100
Pricing
In bond
Duty paid
Bottle
From a client
2 available
£70.60
Buy Duty Paid

WINE DETAILS

  • Region & country
    Barolo (DOCG), Piedmont, Italy (North West), Italy
  • Grape
    Nebbiolo
  • Maturity
    Ready 2017 - 2028
  • Colour
    Red
  • Sweetness
    Dry
  • Style
    Still
  • Unit Volume
    Bottle (75cl.)
  • ABV
    14.5%
  • Classification
    DOCG - Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
2011 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Case Maté, Elio Grasso, Piedmont

TASTING NOTES

The 2011 Barolo Ginestra Casa Matè sees a fresher quality of fruit compared to the Barolo Gavarini Chiniera. Vines are picked at slightly lower altitudes and harvest starts a few days earlier in this vineyard. The wine reveals an elegant and streamlined bouquet with lively tones of wild berry, spice, white truffle and balsam herb. The complexity here is very enticing indeed. I also appreciated the quality of tannins. They are silky and structured without feeling harsh or astringent.

Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (June 2015)
94/100

A very exciting and subtle red with tar, licorice and dark berry character. Full-bodied, yet subtle and balanced. Lovely density and freshness. Better than 2010.

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com (April 2015)
95/100

The 2011 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Casa Matè has retained greater freshness than the Gavarini. At the same time, the flavors are dark, bold and intense throughout, with gorgeous balsamic-inflected overtones that add nuance. In 2011, with sugars mounting, Gianluca Grasso chose to pick the Ginestra before the Gavarini, which is not the norm here. As a result, the tannins are a bit dry and austere by today's standards, although in prior decades plenty of Barolos were made with tannins that weren't fully ripe. However, the flavors retain gorgeous brightness, tension and energy throughout, all of which makes me think the 2011 will come together over time.

Antonio Galloni, vinous.com (March 2015)
94/100

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