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Elio Grasso: 2017 Barolo Releases


“Gianluca Grasso made some of the most thrilling wines of 2017… These are special wines from one of Piedmont's most admired families” Antonio Galloni

Who hasn’t dreamt of packing in their job and going off to make world class wine? Well, for Gianluca Grasso that is exactly what happened. Formally a Turin banker, Gianluca now makes some of the greatest Barolos in Piedmont. Thankfully, for us wine lovers, that apocryphal moment happened in 1978 and now after nearly 40 years, Armit Wines is pleased to offer the “remarkable” and “sublime” (Antonio Galloni) 2017 Barolo Ginestra Casa Mate & Barolo Gavarini Chiniera.

Galloni has awarded both wines a seriously impressive 96 points, the highest score of any Barolo in 2017. What’s more, he describes the Gavarini as “easily one of the wines of the vintage”. He does not stop there, going on to say: “Gianluca Grasso made some of the most thrilling wines of 2017. The wines stand out for their exceptional finesse. Grasso is one of a handful of estates with 2017s that approach the level of the 2016s. That is the highest compliment I can pay the wines.”

Not only are these wines comparable to the superlative 2016s (and cost less!), the warmer weather and growing season in 2017 yielded wines of a more forward style which can be broached earlier for drinking. As our Master Sommelier, Nicolas Clerc, observed in a recent tasting, Grasso’s 2017s can be enjoyed from next year and will only continue to grow in stature in the cellar. In his words, they are typified by ‘elegance’, ‘freshness’ and ‘balance’. These are classically proportioned Barolos from an outstanding terroir. 

To hear more about the new releases from this exceptional estate, we are delighted to share with you an interview with Gianluca Grasso