Fratelli Alessandria 'Gramolere' Barolo 2017

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast

Forest floor, sandalwood, wild rose and cedar aromas take shape in the glass. Savoury, structured and poised, the palate is still young and primary, delivering ripe Morello cherry, spiced cranberry, licorice and ground clove set against a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins.

95 Points - Decanter

Gramolere is close to Bussia but separated from it by a deep valley, and the soil originates from a different geology: we find Sant'Agata Fossili sandy marls in Gramolere and Diano d'Alba sandstone at the top of Bussia (Pianpolvere). If you prefer fruit-driven wines, this wine is worth a try. Gramolere is known to be restrained and austere, but here the nose is dominated by rhubarb root, rosehip, tar, and earthy clay minerality. Candied cherry and pomegranate juice flavours provide fruit concentration, while the tight-knit structure showcases chewy acidity and austere yet ripe tannins on the mid-palate, followed by a graceful watermelon finish. A great wine indeed. 

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

With some 7,000 bottles released, the Fratelli Alessandria 2017 Barolo Gramolere gives us a taste of fruit from Monforte d'Alba, as opposed to Verduno, where this winery is based. The Nebbiolo from this further-flung village shows deep power and equal grace, and you feel the contrast in this warm-vintage wine. This Barolo sits firmly on the palate with dark shades of cherry, blackcurrant and wild plum. These fruit tones cede to iron ore, rusty nail and dark licorice. This wine shows power and almost sanguine or earthy intensity. 

94 Points - Vinous

The 2017 Barolo Gramolere is a powerful, tightly wound wine full of Monforte tension. Dark-fleshed fruit, spice, menthol, licorice and sage add layers of aromatic intrigue to this firm, hulky Barolo. The 2017 takes all the Gramolere signatures and turns up the volume.