2009 Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera
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Tasting notes
(aged in large Slavonian casks between 7 and 18 years of age): Bright medium red. Pretty aromas of redcurrant, rose petal and sexy spices. Suave and fine-grained, with pliant redcurrant and floral flavors nicely framed by harmonious acidity. Finishes with good structure and lingering notes of plum, redcurrant and mellow oak. This high-altitude vineyard, featuring 35-year-old vines planted on sand and limestone soil, was harvested first in 2009.
Critic scores
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is a beautifully delicate and elegant wine with fruit sourced from 35-year-old vines at 400 meters above sea level. Those higher elevations have helped to shape finely detailed aromas, despite the warmer vintage. Bright notes of pressed rose, violets, licorice, spice, tar and plum all call out your attention. Solid tightness in the mouth slowly relaxes to reveal nuanced flavors of bright cherry, spice and leather. Each time you return to the glass, the wine offers yet another dimension. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035. Elio Grasso and his son Gianluca have created one of the finest vineyards and wineries in the Langhe today. The energy shared by this dynamic father and son team demonstrates that no ambition is too far stretched or lofty - as long as there is a will for hard work. Investments made over the last decade include a state-of-the-art winery complete with an underground cellar, buried 45 meters below the vineyards. Recently, Gianluca says his passion has turned to vineyard work: "The point is not being the greatest wine producer. It is to be the greatest producer of grapes." Various American importers, including: Martin Scott Wines, Little Neck, NY; tel. (516) 327-0808; Langdon Shiverick Imports, Cleveland, OH; tel. (213) 483-5900; Classic Wine Imports, Norwood, MA; tel. (800) 862-4585; Admirality Beverage Co., Portland, OR; tel. (503) 265-3555
The 2009 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is a gorgeous wine laced with sweet red cherries, flowers, mint and sweet spices. This is an undeniably sexy, racy Barolo loaded with early appeal. I don't imagine the 2009 will be one of the most long-lived Chinieras, but I also don't think that will be much of a problem. Readers will want to enjoy their 2009s while some of the more age worthy wines age in the cellar. By any standard, this is one of the highlights of the year. Even with all of the inherent richness of the vintage, the 2009 maintains gorgeous freshness and its trademark salinity. The Gavarini is a more typical Gavarini than the Ginestra.
The 2009 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is a beautifully delicate and elegant wine with fruit sourced from 35-year-old vines at 400 meters above sea level. Those higher elevations have helped to shape finely detailed aromas, despite the warmer vintage. Bright notes of pressed rose, violets, licorice, spice, tar and plum all call out your attention. Solid tightness in the mouth slowly relaxes to reveal nuanced flavors of bright cherry, spice and leather. Each time you return to the glass, the wine offers yet another dimension. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035. Jun 2013, www.robertparker.com