Fratelli Barolo Gramolere 2021 - 1.5 Litre Bottle

This structured and 'muscular' red wine originates from Italy, within the world-renowned Barolo D.O.C.G. appellation of the northern Piedmont region. Fratelli Alessandria is a historic and deeply respected family estate located in the village of Verduno, tracing its commercial winemaking roots all the way back to 1830. Under the current, precision-focused stewardship of Vittore Alessandria, the family operates under a classic, low-intervention winemaking philosophy to highlight site-specific clarity. The "Gramolere" vineyard located in the neighboring commune of Monforte d'Alba holds a special place in the estate's lineup as their lone single-vineyard plot outside of Verduno. The vineyard came to the family through the matriarch, Flavia Manzone, who was born in the village. Rooted in dark, limestone-and-clay-heavy soils mixed with steep sandstone veins, these 60-year-old heritage vines yield a classic, hulking expression that represents the traditionally structured, dark-toned counterpoint to Verduno's lighter, floral styles.

Wine Description

The 2021 Fratelli Alessandria 'Gramolere' Barolo presents a moderately deep garnet-red appearance in the glass. Its sensory profile is exceptionally deep, complex, and high-toned, masterfully capturing the naturally brooding, savory character of Monforte d'Alba. The bouquet opens with a bold, multi-faceted display of ripe black cherries, dark plum, and cherry liqueur, beautifully layered with distinct undertones of iron-rich earth, new leather, licorice, fresh mint, and balsamic tobacco leaf. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, dense, and beautifully focused, showcasing a powerful, concentrated core of black fruits, crushed rocks, and peppery spices. It is characterized by its outstanding inner energy and a vibrant backbone of mineral acidity that gives life to its massive, tightly knit frame. The mouthfeel is broad, textured, and deeply sapid, driven by firm, fine-grained, yet assertive tannins that carry into a remarkably long, dry finish highlighted by darker mineral accents, tar, and lingering savory spices.

Vintage Quality

The 2021 growing season across the Langhe is celebrated by international critics as an absolute benchmark, legendary vintage characterized by massive structural stuffing, intense aromatics, and profound cellaring longevity. Following a mild winter and a steady spring, a warm, dry summer brought sun-drenched daytime hours that optimized sugar accumulation and phenolic ripeness. Crucially, sharp nighttime temperature drops locked in vital, energetic natural acidity. Because the Gramolere parcel sits at a high elevation, it benefited from cooler microclimates that allowed for a slower, progressive ripening window. Harvesting nearly a week after their Verduno plots, the family brought in small, perfectly healthy berry clusters with thick, beautifully ripe skins. This pristine climate synergy yielded a remarkably balanced, deep, and age-worthy Barolo built with an internal matrix to cellar gracefully for decades (ideally peaking between 2028 and 2056).