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: 2015 Elio Grasso "Ginestra Casa Matè" Barolo

2015 Elio Grasso "Ginestra Casa Matè" Barolo

SKU #1423541 97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark There is slightly more structure to the 2015 Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté than to the Gavarini Chiniera of the same vintage, and the only differences here are the soils and that this fruit is harvested about ten days later. It's a pretty fascinating demonstration of the power of the single vineyard. The Gavarini Chiniera parcel offers slightly sandier soils, whereas this site is composed of more clay. In rainy years, the Gavarini Chiniera vineyard drains more effectively, whereas the Ginestra's soil retains more moisture in the hot and dry vintages. As a result, in vintages such as this one, Ginestra shows a more compact nature and, in general, provides more impact and more structure. This is a very robust expression, extremely linear and tight. The Ginestra Casa Maté narrowly wins this round. It's another beautiful Barolo. (ML) Inner quote mark (6/2019)

96 points James Suckling

Outer quote mark Complex aromas of figs, ripe strawberries and fresh mushrooms. Full body, firm and tight tannins with a solid core of fruit and a long, linear finish. Great length. Drink in 2024. Inner quote mark (1/2019)

96 points Vinous

Outer quote mark Grasso's 2015 Barolo Ginestra Casa Matè is a dense, full-bodied Barolo that is going to need at least a few years to start unwinding. Dark fruit and a host of mentholated, balsamic notes all run through the 2015. Broad shoulders and tons of depth give the wine its distinctive feel. The Ginestra Casa Matè is usually more expressive at this stage than it is today. Time in the glass soften some of the edges, but the 2015 is a wine to cellar and then drink for the next 20-30 years. There is so much to look forward to. (AG) Inner quote mark (2/2019)

95 points Wine Spectator

Outer quote mark Packed with sweet plum, cherry, licorice, iron, tar and leather flavors, this red is alluring and built for the long haul. Lively acidity and dense tannins lend support. Achieves fine balance among all the elements. Patience is required. (BS) Inner quote mark (1/2020)

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2015 Elio Grasso "Ginestra Casa Matè" Barolo

Price: $79.99

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Product Reviews:

By: John Downing | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/12/2019 | Send Email

Gianluca Grasso's 2015 single vineyard Barolos are certainly must-buys for Nebbiolo fans and his Casa Mate is sensational. It's a stunning combination of dense, perfectly ripe fruit, integrated tannins and bountiful acidity throughout. Although it's very showy today, it deserves time in the cellar to fully integrate.

By: Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/8/2019 | Send Email

What I liked about this bottling is the broad drinking window. No doubt this is a big, powerful, hugely structured wine...but it also has lovely pure fruit, well refined tannins and most importantly - immaculate balance from start to finish. Sure it needs a good decant if you're drinking it young (I actually tasted this wine on day two) but there's plenty to enjoy now if you get thirsty!

By: Keith Mabry | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/7/2019 | Send Email

The Casa Mate is the consummate Barolo. Filled with gorgeous floral notes and red fruit it has all the leathery tannins that keep this somewhat riper vintage at bay. This is a Barolo that will reward a little more time in the cellar but with a properly rich meal, would not disappoint in any way. A classic pure and simple!

By: Kaj Stromer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/7/2019 | Send Email

Oh my, this is another insane Barolo offering from Elio Grasso. There’s so much going on here it’s hard to know where to begin. The aromatics are intense, beguiling, and compelling. On the palate, the wine is structured, firm, and dense. This is prototypical Barolo of the highest order. I would strongly urge fans to squirrel a few bottles of this away for a several years. But, for those of your who are “Casa Mate” curious, three to four hours in a decanter alongside a giant slab of beef should work. But do save a few bottles for the future.

By: Greg St. Clair | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/7/2019 | Send Email

Having just tasted this wine I think most of the reviewers got this wine in a juvenile, closed phase because this wine is singing! The delight of the 2015 vintage is the rich, sweet fruit that comes with the ripeness but there’s no hint of over ripeness, this wine is perfectly balanced. I do find it is always hard to taste these wines together because one always feels the need to say this one is better than that one, they really are both amazing but in really different ways. The nose of this wine is so inviting, it’s not a typical closed in Barolo behemoth it is enticing, full of dried figs, smoke, porcini…I could go on. The really enticing portion of this wine was on the palate, you might have had experience drinking Barolo where that first palate presence is shocking and makes your cheeks want to turn inside out, but not this wine OMG it is amazing. Supple, sweet tannins frame the outside of this wine allowing waves of flavors, a savory, umami rich roll starts it, then more forest floor, then smoke and truffle and back to the dried figs, I can’t think of another flavor for that than dried figs. Super balanced, exceedingly long, and incredible finish, yet all the talk of balance, supple and drinkable might make you think this wine is a short term wine but Oh No, this is a Barolo’s Barolo, long term, it is really special and is going to last a long, long time.

By: Ryan Moses | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/6/2019 | Send Email

Elio Grasso's Casa Mate hits the deeper notes of Ginestra in 2015 with savory red fruit, plum, and soy on an expressive nose. The texture is immaculate and pure, with a compact palate that builds on flavors of black cherry, licorice, all brightened up by a good streak of acidity.. Exceptionally fine tannins round out a wine that has a ton in reserve. This is one that will go the distance.

Additional Information:

Varietal:

Nebbiolo

- Tar and roses are the two descriptors most associated with this red grape grown, almost solely, in Italy's Piedmont, where it has achieved fame under the guises of the incredibly and age-worthy wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. Characterized by chewy tannins, high acidity, high-tone cherry and raspberry fruit and truffle aromas and flavors, Nebbiolo has rightfully earned its reputation. Sadly the late-ripening varietal is quite delicate and is prone to disease as well as damage by hail that frequently pelts the region. Outside of Barolo and Barbaresco, Nebbiolo is grown in the DOCs of Gattinara, Spanna and Ghemme. The Nebbiolos of the Nebbiolo d'Alba DOC in the southeastern part of Piedmont are generally lighter and more immediately approachable versions of the grape, aged for less time than Barolo and Barbaresco, which also makes them less expensive. Langhe Nebbiolos are generally made from declassified fruit from the aforementioned regions of Barolo, Barbaresco and Nebbiolo d'Alba.

Country:

Italy

- Once named Enotria for its abundant vineyards, Italy (thanks to the ancient Greeks and Romans) has had an enormous impact on the wine world. From the shores of Italy, the Romans brought grapes and their winemaking techniques to North Africa, Spain and Portugal, Germany, France, the Danube Valley, the Middle East and even England. Modern Italy, which didn't actually exist as a country until the 1870s, once produced mainly simple, everyday wine. It wasn't until the 1970s that Italy began the change toward quality. The 1980s showed incredible efforts and a lot of experimentation. The 1990s marked the real jump in consistent quality, including excellence in many Region that had been indistinct for ages. The entire Italian peninsula is seeing a winemaking revolution and is now one of the most exciting wine Region in the world.

Sub-Region:

Piedmont

- Piedmont is in the Northwestern region of Italy, bordering France and Switzerland. Piedmont is predominantly a plain where the water flows from the Swiss and French Alps to form the headwaters of the Po river. The major wine producing areas are in the southern portion of the region in the hills known as the "Langhe". Here the people speak a dialect that is 1/3 French and 2/3 Italian that portrays their historical roots. Their cuisine is one of the most creative and interesting in Italy. Nebbiolo is the King grape here, producing Barolo and Barbaresco. In addition, the Barbera and Dolcetto are the workhorse grapes that produce the largest quantity of wine. Piedmont is predominantly a red wine producing area. There are a few whites made in Piedmont, and the Moscato grape produces a large volume of sweet, semi-sweet and sparkling wines as well.

Specific Appellation:

Barolo

- Made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, these wines take their name from the village of Barolo. A maximum of 205,000 cases per year can be made from 3081 acres of land divided between 11 communes and more than 1200 growers. La Morra, Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Monforte and Serralunga are the most important communes and produce most of the exported wine. Barolo is a powerhouse wine in some communes but also more delicate in others (La Morra is the most delicate and Serralunga the most powerful). Recent technological and viticultural advances are remaking Barolo into a wine that is more consistent balanced. Producers here do not want to change the flavor or feel of their wines, only improve and eliminate poor winemaking technique. A wine of great perfume, body and size the classic nose of "tar and roses". Barolo is best served with roast meats the Piemontese classic would be "Stracotto del Barolo or pot roast cooked with a Barolo, game birds or powerful cheese.