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ELIO GRASSO Gavarini Vigna Chiniera

Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is a contemporary expression of traditional Barolo. Of Grasso’s two ‘regular’ Barolos, Chiniera is the more feminine in style, showing a more floral personality in a finer, more elegant style. The fruit comes from a south-facing 3 ha plot within the Gavarini vineyard, 320-360 meters above sea level, on relatively loose-packed, slightly sandy, calcareous soil.

Driven by rigorous attention to detail in the vineyard and picking at optimum phenolic maturity, the Grasso style is underscored by immaculate winemaking. Vigna Chiniera is fermented in stainless steel and typically spends 30 days on skins followed by 30 months maturation in 2500L Slavonian oak casks.

Style: Nebbiolo
Vintage: 2017

Region: Barolo DOCG
Code: ELBGC

Varietal: Nebbiolo
Country: Italy

Region Barolo DOCG

Barolo is a red Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wine produced in the northern Italian region of Piedmont. It is made from the Nebbiolo grape and is considered one of Italy's greatest wines. Some would say it is pre-eminent. Five townships (Barolo, La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Monforte d'Alba and Serralunga d'Alba) account for roughly 90% of Barolo production. The entire appellation consists of 11 townships, 2000ha of vineyards and 700 wineries that produced 13 million bottles in 2015, of which some 80% was exported. The other townships of Barolo are Cherasco, Diano d'Alba, Grinzane Cavour, Novello, Roddi and Verduno. Although production codes have always stipulated that vineyards must be located on hillsides, the most recent revision of the production code released in 2010 goes further, categorically excluding valley floors, humid and flat areas, areas without sufficient sunlight, and areas with full-on northern exposures. Barolo is often described as having

Barolo is a red Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wine produced in the northern Italian region of Piedmont. It is made from the Nebbiolo grape and is considered one of Italy's greatest wines. Some would say it is pre-eminent. Five townships (Barolo, La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Monforte d'Alba and Serralunga d'Alba) account for roughly 90% of Barolo production. The entire appellation consists of 11 townships, 2000ha of vineyards and 700 wineries that produced 13 million bottles in 2015, of which some 80% was exported. The other townships of Barolo are Cherasco, Diano d'Alba, Grinzane Cavour, Novello, Roddi and Verduno. Although production codes have always stipulated that vineyards must be located on hillsides, the most recent revision of the production code released in 2010 goes further, categorically excluding valley floors, humid and flat areas, areas without sufficient sunlight, and areas with full-on northern exposures. Barolo is often described as having the aromas of tar and roses, and the wines are noted for their ability to age. They usually take on a rust red tinge as they mature. Barolo must be aged for at least 38 months after the harvest before release, of which at least 18 months must be in wood. When subjected to aging of at least five years before release, the wine can be labeled Riserva. In the past, Barolos tended to be high in tannin, taking 10 years or more to soften and become ready for drinking. Beginning in the 1970s and 1980s, a new generation of winemakers have developed a ‘modern’ style of Barolo based on improved viticulture and grape quality, less extractive winemaking and new approaches to oak maturation. The entrenched views of both the ‘modernists’ and ‘traditionalists’ have moderated over time, with the result that today the overall quality of Barolo is undoubtedly the best it has ever been. Barolo and neighbouring Barbaresco form part of the recently created UNESCO World Heritage site, Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato; testament to the stunning beauty of their viticultural landscapes.

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Winery ELIO GRASSO

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

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.