2019 - Barolo Gramolere, Fratelli Alessandria

The 2019 Barolo Gramolere (with 7,000 bottles made) shows a slightly sweeter and riper fruit profile. This wine comes from the village of Monforte d'Alba, which is known for more structured and powerful wines compared to Verduno (where this winery is based), which offers lighter, more floral wines instead. Gramolere shows dark fruit, plum and spice, but it also has a pretty mineral note of rust or iron. However, within this portfolio, this wine may well deliver the longest drinking window.

From barrel I thought the 2019 Barolo Gramolere was quite elegant, but now it’s anything but. At this stage, it is a searingly tannic and forbidding Barolo, with notes of black cherry, plum, leather, licorice and mocha. The 2019 has shut down massively post-bottling. I would not dream of touching a bottle anytime soon.

Monforte d’Alba. Mid ruby with orange tinges. A lifted cherry-fruit nose chock-full of salty, minerally notes. Lithe, elegant and, at the same time, full palate of juicy raspberry fruit with an aromatic spread on the finish. Super-fine tannins on the finish. (WS)