Piedmont is known for two red wine types: Barolo and Barbaresco. The newly released 2008 Barolo vintage is now available, and we've found ourselves sampling quite a few wines from this vintage. One thing is for certain, Barolo winemakers hit a homerun with the 2008s, as they did with the 2007s. The wines we've tasted are massive powerhouses that are built for the long haul. The 2008 vintage has the ability to age 20+ years.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate had this to say about the 2008 Barolos: "...The 2008 Baroli have turned out far better than I originally expected. They are for the most part gracious, medium-bodied wines that are highly expressive of site and full of character. The best 2008s are thrilling..." - The Wine Advocate
Over the weekend, we opened a bottle of 2008 Elio Grasso Barolo Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, a super high-scoring wine awarded 98+ points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. We paired it with something simple: grilled burgers, and that's it. It needed nothing else. Wow, this wine is enormous and has obvious notes of tar and spices. It had tannins galore and a very lengthy finish. And it packs the punch. Made from the Nebbiolo grape, the Ginestra Casa Mate is a wine that displays Nebbiolo at its finest.
Parker's Wine Advocate said that it's a "must-have" wine. And after tasting it, we agree. As for Piedmont wines go, you can't find a better deal than the Elio Grasso Barolo Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate. Priced at only $89.99 with a score of 98+ RPWA points, it's a wine to buy. Most 98+ point California & Bordeaux wines are priced way beyond the $200 price point. Even Parker's Wine Advocate said that Elio Grasso's two wines "remain some of the most fairly priced, ageworthy wines on the planet."
We strongly urge you to pick up the Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate today. Try a bottle after decanting it and lay the rest down in your cellar. Re-visit this wine from time to time and ENJOY!!!
Our Score: 98
Drinkability: A