Elio Grasso Barolo Ginestra Casa Mate 2021

Elio Grasso Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté 2021 is a tightly structured, classically styled Barolo from one of Monforte d’Alba’s most revered crus. Crafted entirely from Nebbiolo, it captures the depth, perfume and tension that have made this single vineyard a benchmark for serious collectors. In the 2021 vintage, Casa Maté shows remarkable precision and energy, promising both early charm and long cellaring potential.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2021 Casa Maté is a vibrant, luminous ruby garnet with youthful, purple-tinged reflections at the rim. The nose is immediately expressive yet layered, offering notes of wild cherry, redcurrant and blood orange, intertwined with rose petals, violet, licorice, and hints of incense, tobacco leaf and crushed stone. Subtle tones of spice, cedar and underbrush emerge with air, underlining its classic Barolo character. On the palate, the wine is focused and vertical, with fine-grained yet assertive tannins that frame a core of pure red fruit—sour cherry, raspberry and pomegranate—balanced by a firm line of acidity. Savory nuances of fennel seed, dried herbs, iron and tar add complexity, while the finish is long, mineral and mouthwatering, with lingering notes of citrus peel and florals. Still youthful and tightly coiled, this 2021 has excellent aging potential; expect it to evolve beautifully over 10–20 years, gaining truffle, leather and forest floor complexity while the tannins become more polished and harmonious.

Production
Ginestra Casa Maté is sourced from Elio Grasso’s high-quality parcels in the Ginestra cru of Monforte d’Alba, a steep, south to southeast–facing slope with calcareous clay and marl soils that naturally limit yields and intensify concentration. The vines benefit from strong diurnal temperature swings, preserving aromatic lift and acidity. Harvest is typically done by hand with careful bunch selection in the vineyard to ensure only perfectly ripe Nebbiolo is brought to the cellar. Vinification follows a traditional yet precise approach: extended maceration on the skins to extract fine tannins and aromatic depth, followed by maturation in large oak (often Slavonian botti or carefully chosen older barrels) to allow the wine to develop complexity without overt wood influence. The result is a Barolo that speaks clearly of its site: powerful, structured and deeply mineral.

Food & Serving
This Barolo is a natural match for rich, savory dishes such as braised veal shank (ossobuco), slow-cooked beef or game stews, roasted lamb, and dishes with truffle, porcini or aged cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano and mature Taleggio. It also pairs beautifully with risotto al funghi and pasta dishes featuring ragù or wild mushrooms. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal expression. In its youth, decanting for 1–2 hours will help open the bouquet and soften the structure; as the wine matures, a gentle 30–60 minute decant is sufficient mainly to let it breathe and separate any sediment.

Producer
Elio Grasso is a family-run estate in Monforte d’Alba that has become one of the reference names in Barolo for purity of fruit and fidelity to terroir. Founded by Elio Grasso and developed with a strong focus on estate-grown grapes and meticulous vineyard work, the winery helped spearhead a new era of quality in Piemonte from the 1980s onward. With holdings in some of the zone’s top crus, including Ginestra and Gavarini, Elio Grasso consistently produces Barolo that is both powerful and refined, capturing the essence of Monforte’s soils. The estate is widely respected by critics and collectors alike for its ageworthy, classically structured wines that remain deeply rooted in regional tradition.

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