2021 Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG, Italy Valdespino the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc from Domaine

the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc from Domaine de Marcoux is the smallest cuvée that they make

with a lack of intervention in the winery

Winemaking: The grapes were harvested at three various times at their optimum maturity

A week of skin contact brings out the floral and lychee notes

composed of 40+ year-old vines in the area called ‘Chaffangeon

2021 Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG, Italy Valdespino the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc from DomaineThis is a stunning set of wines from Elio Grasso. As always, I tasted the 2021s next to the preceding vintage, which provided a terrific opportunity to compare the wines. I found the 2020s just as compelling as they were last year. The 2021s are the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. While many 2021s offer a good deal of relatively early approachability, the 2021s here require cellaring. Interestingly, today the Ginestra Casa Mat and Gavarini