TENUTA CISA ASINARI DEI MARCHESI DI GRESY Gaiun Martinenga, Barbaresco

TENUTE CISA ASINARI DEI MARCHESI DI GRESY Martinenga , Barbaresco DOCG

Elvio Cogno Bricco Pernice Barolo According to winemaker Valter Fissorehusband of Elvio Cognos daughter Nadia, this plot is the heart and soul of the mighty Ravera cru. Exposed due south to the full brunt of afternoon light, Bricco Pernice is also protected from the wind. This dynamic conspires to create a mesoclimate considerably warmer than the rest of the cru. White soils heavy in solid limestone service strapping wines that are ferrous, pungently mineral, brooding and evocative of truffles, macerated cherry, liquorice, leather and iodine. As with Vigna Elena, these are candidates for long ageing, seeing three-years in botti for tone and poise. 'the estate of Elvio Cogno has unequivocally thrust itself into the pantheon of top Barolo makers.'Ned Goodwin MW Shop Elvio Cogno

Established in 1858 by the first king of Italy, Fontanafredda is now the single largest contiguous wine estate in the Langhe region, with a fierce commitment to organic viticulture as well as woodland regeneration. The Platinum label represents the unique tradition of the Estate and more than 160 years of history. This is a serious, brooding Barolo, aged at the Estate for a minimum of 62 months to highlight the complexity, structure and richness of classic Barolo Reserva. Ruby red with the faintest hints of bricking on the edge. Intensely aromatic and complex, with black cherries, tobacco, dried mushrooms, nutmeg, and sweet balsamic notes all vying for attention. Supple, sweet fruit and round, powdery tannins on the palate. So much complexity with nothing out of place.

The Barolo del Commune di La Morra is a wine made from grapes grown in the La Serra, Fossati, Case Nere and Barolo vineyards. Roberto leaves each cluster weighing around 1kg instead of the 500g clusters used for the Cru Baroli. This is a stellar wine and a very good introduction to the range and philosophy of Roberto Voerzio.

Casa Maté is the more masculine of Grassos two regular Barolos, showing darker fruit, more tar and a more robust tannin profile. The fruit comes from a south-facing 3 ha plot within the Ginestra vineyard, 300-350 meters above sea level, on relatively loose-packed, slightly clayey, calcareous soil. Driven by rigorous attention to detail in the vineyard and picking at optimum phenolic maturity, Grassos Vigna Casa Maté is a contemporary expression of traditional Barolo underscored by immaculate winemaking. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and typically spends 30 days on skins followed by 30 months maturation in 2500L Slavonian oak casks.