The 2013 Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté does a great job of portraying its vineyard characteristics. This single vineyard is located at higher altitudes with thicker clay soils. This combination helps to build the wine's intensity, structure and muscle. It undergoes 45 days of submerged cap fermentation. Dark cherry and blackberry open the bouquet. These aromas are followed by spice, smoke, iron and crushed mineral. The robust nature of those aromas makes for a beautiful contrast to the fine, silky and more delicate (relatively speaking) nature of the mouthfeel.
96 points, Monica Larner (July 2017)
A rich and velvety-textured red with a dusty undertone. Full-bodied, rich and round with lots of fruit and cedar character. Juicy finish. Drink in 2020.
94 points, James Suckling (February 2017)
A beefy red, with grip and power framing the licorice, cherry, tar and tobacco flavors. Complex and fresh, this has everything in the right proportion, showing fine balance on the lingering aftertaste. Forget about this for eight years. Best from 2022 through 2038. 1,000 cases made.
94 points, Bruce Sanderson (Wine Spectator - November 2017)
Elio Grasso is a wine producer situated in Monforte d’Alba in the heart of Piedmont. As a young man, Elio was always a great admirer of the Conterno estate. So in 1979 when he gave up his banking job in Turin to move to the family property in Monforte d’Alba, Aldo Conterno helped him get started. The Grasso family owns vineyards in some of the best parts of the region, some of which have been family owned and worked for more than a century. All wines are made from estate owned grapes including Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and Barbera and more recently Chardonnay. Grasso produces three Barolo vineyard selections: Gavarini Vigna Chiniera, Ginestra Vigna Casa Maté and Rüncot. Over the years the Grasso style has evolved to a position somewhere between the classic and modernist expressions of Barolo. Langhe Nebbiolo, Dolcetto d'Alba, Barbera d'Alba and Langhe Chardonnay are also produced.
Elio Grasso... 'is highly respected by other Barolo producers. Elio Grasso and his son Gianluca continue to release beautifully perfumed and structured Barolo, both in a traditional style, with the Gavarini Chiniera and Ginestra Casa Maté Barolos, while the riserva Runcot is a more modern style. Great expressions of Monforte terroir; these examples of Barolo are as honest as you can find. -- Tom Hyland, The 25 Best producers of Barolo, Forbes, November 2018.