2020 Elio Grasso Gavarini Vigna Chiniera Barolo DOCG, Italy

GianlucaGrassomade some of the most impressive Barolos of the vintage. Harvest for the core Nebbiolo parcels took place between October 17 and 23, very much on the later side for the year. The wines were done with long, submerged cap macerations and aged in cask. Perhaps more importantly, GianlucaGrassois among the producers who have developed a very distinctive and personal style. The wines are quite classic in some ways but also contemporary in their sense of polish. I also revisited the 2019 Barolos, which are just as impressive as they were last year. The just-bottled 2019 Riserva Rncot is quite promising. As a reminder, the Rncot is the only Barolo here aged in French oak barrique. Long aging in barrel and a light touch mean wood is rarely intrusive in that wine, especially with cellaring.Antonio Galloni