Giovanni Manzone - Barolo Gramolere 2010 (1.5L)
This Barolo is a lively ruby red in color. Intense and harmonic bouquet, fruity, with cherry and raspberry notes and hints of spicy balsamic. The palate is full and supple, with excellent tannic balance.
Giovanni Manzone Description
A full and balanced red wine, made from Nebbiolo grapes handled and vinified by Manzone Giovanni, in Langhe land. The grapes come from a single vineyard, in the Gramolere mga, in Monforte d’Alba. The vines are about 35 years old and the steep slope of the hill only allows manual processing. The exposure is south-southwest; the soil is sandy and rich in stones and fossils. The manual harvest is made in mid/late october to ensure the perfect ripening of the grapes. The natural fermentation with the skins lasts 30 to 40 days, with soft pumping over to guarantee a delicate polyphenolic extraction. After about 3 years of ageing in barrels and a few months resting in concrete tanks, the wine is bottled during waning moon. The first vintage was produced in 1971. Few thousand bottles of Barolo Gramolere are produced and sold about 5 years after the harvest.
Wine Advocate: 95 Points
The Manzone 2010 Barolo Riserva Gramolere is a dark and enriched expression that puts on a beautiful performance. This is in part due to the attributes of the classic 2010 vintage that is known for its powerful, centered and elegant wines. This expression is already drinking beautifully in its current state. It shows hints of tertiary evolution with campfire ash and dried licorice powder that add complexity and finesse. The wine also benefits from a more elaborate winemaking process (it ages in tonneaux for 48 months) with oak-driven notes of baking spice and toasted almond. These tones are tucked neatly into the thick fiber and consistency of this beautiful Barolo.
Wine Spectator: 94 Points
Rose, cherry and underbrush flavors highlight this elegant red. Silky and firm, with snappy acidity marshaling the flavors through the long aftertaste. Balanced, with an aftertaste of dried berry, tobacco and mineral.
Vinous: 94 Points
A powerful, deep wine, the 2010 Barolo Gramolere wraps around the palate with gorgeous resonance. Mint, pine, menthol, spices and new leather are all beautifully expressive in the glass. The tannins are firm, but also very nicely integrated. It will be interesting to see how the 2010 ages. Today, it is full of potential.
James Suckling: 90 Points
A silky, savory red with balsamic, berry and plum character. Medium body, firm tannins and a juicy finish.
