Elio Grasso - Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté 2020

Elio Grasso’s story begins with a return to the land. After building a career in banking in Turin, Elio left city life in the late 1970s to return to his family’s vineyards in Monforte d’Alba, in the southern part of the Barolo zone. Together with his wife Marina, he began transforming a property that had traditionally sold its grapes into an estate devoted to growing, making, and bottling its own wines. His first vintage was 1978, marking the beginning of the winery’s modern identity.

The setting is central to the story: a natural amphitheater of steep vineyards surrounding the family home. The estate encompasses 42 hectares, with 18 hectares of vines surrounded by 24 hectares of forests and meadows. Preserving this landscape reflects the family’s conviction that their first responsibility is to be grape farmers, with winemaking growing naturally from the work in the vineyard.

Elio’s son Gianluca Grasso now leads the estate, continuing the attention to detail that established its reputation. The family’s two signature Barolos, Gavarini Chiniera and Ginestra Casa Maté, explore distinct vineyard expressions within Monforte. Chiniera’s sandier, limestone-rich soils contrast with Casa Maté’s greater clay content, offering a compelling study of how neighboring sites shape Nebbiolo. Both mature in large Slavonian oak casks, preserving the structure, perfume, and vineyard character at the heart of the family’s approach.

"The Elio Grasso 2020 Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté reveals a leaner, more streamlined mouthfeel compared to past vintages (especially compared to the far more concentrated 2019 vintage). The wine shows pretty brightness with wild berry, underripe cranberry, potting soil and sour cherry. There’s a wild hint of Eastern European dill or crushed mint as well. This edition is slightly more accessible overall with an open-knit approach and granular tannins." - 94 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 2020 Barolo Ginestra Casa Mate is sourced from 65-year-old vines planted in clay-rich soils and displays a deeper transparent ruby color. On the nose, a spicier profile emerges, with notes of licorice, balsamic, cherry liqueur, smoky earth, and pipe tobacco. It shows off a broader and rounder feel on the palate and is fleshy with plush, sweet tannins and a clean, balanced finish. This wine is more approachable in this vintage, and it’s already drinking well." - 96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

"The 2020 Barolo Ginestra Casa Matè is gorgeous. Aromatically captivating and nuanced, the 2020 impresses right out of the gate. All the classic Ginestra signatures are present. Today the tannins are pretty imposing in the positive sense, as they are present, but also impeccably balanced within the wine's frame. This is impressive stuff. The substantial, balsamic-infused Ginestra finish is captivating." - 96 Points, Vinous

Producer: Elio Grasso

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Varietal: Nebbiolo

Appellation: Barolo

Vintage: 2020

Size: 750ml