After the hugely successful and age-worthy 2010 vintage in Barolo, we are all ready for a really delicious accessible drinking vintage, one that has power, succulence, heady perfumed fruit and sweet ripe tannins; one that says why wait? 2011 is just that! The vintage offers early accessibility; although they are precise, have structure and good aging potential. The choices for delicious near and medium term drinking are in abundance.
“The 2011 Barolos continue to surprise. Radiant, open and already quite expressive, the 2011s show terrific potential.” Antonio Galloni
“When it comes to the top crus in 2011, many producers managed to make fruitier, more intense, richer and frankly better wines than they did in 2010.” James Suckling
Elio Grasso, Monforte d’Alba:
Elio Grasso is one of Italy’s most celebrated winemakers, holding two of the top vineyards in Monforte Chiniera and Case Maté . Stylistically they are very different; this all comes down to terroir: Chiniera has sandier soils, while Case Maté has more clay and limestone. Having vines of over 70 years of age, Chiniera is brooding in its infancy, with age it becomes floral and elegant. Case Maté with 40 year old vines, is more perfumed and powerful, over time displaying violets, spice and dark fruit flavours.
As Galloni says, “Elio Grasso 2011 are more than a worth follow-up to the stellar 2010’s’, we think he is one of the stand out producers of the vintage.”
Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera 2011: £215.00 per 6 IB
Grasso’s 2011 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera captures the essence and personality of the year in its inviting, radiant personality. Bright red stone fruits, crushed rocks, pine, mint and flowers are all lifted and aromatically expressive in the glass. The Gavarini is already quite open and inviting. I imagine it will offer a wide window of pure drinking pleasure over the next 20 years or so. This is a striking Barolo from the Grasso family. 2015-2021 Antonio Galloni 94/100
Barolo Ginestra Vigna Casa Matè 2011: £215.00 per 6 IB
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. 2017-2032 Antonio Galloni 94/100
The wines will be available for delivery in October. Please call us on +44 (0) 20 7793 7900 or email sales@goedhuis.com for more information or to place an order.