2021 Grolleau “Franc de Pied”Bernard Baudry
France | Loire
$36
Producers
Hillside vines, phenomenal sun exposure, limestone-rich marl soils, and an incredibly talented and experienced Piemontese vignaiolo combine to deliver one of the most expressive red wines you’ll taste all year. Both succulent and structured, this Barolo bursts with explosive aromas and flavors of black cherries, rose petals, black tea, and spices, which make this bottling approachable now even though it will evolve into an epic rosso over the next five, ten, and fifteen years.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2017 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Nebbiolo |
Appellation: | Barolo |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Piedmont |
Producer: | Guido Porro |
Winemaker: | Guido Porro |
Vineyard: | 30 - 35 years old; 1 ha; 400-410 m altitude; W exposure |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Aging: | Three years in 15- to 25-hl Slavonian oak botti |
Farming: | Sustainable |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto d’Alba
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Kermit’s love affair with the great reds of Piemonte dates back to the early days of his career: the very first container he imported from Italy, in fact, featured legendary 1971 and 1974 Barolos from Vietti and Aldo Conterno. Regular visits since then have seen our portfolio grow to now twelve Piemontesi estates, with a strong focus on the rolling hills of the Langhe.
Nebbiolo rules these majestic, vine-covered marl slopes, giving Italy’s most mystifyingly complex, nuanced, and age-worthy reds. When crafted via traditional production methods—long macerations and extensive aging in enormous oak botti—the powerful, yet incredibly refined Barolos and Barbarescos provide haunting aromatics of tar, raspberry, incense, tea, roses, and more. At times austere in their youth but well worth the wait, they pair beautifully with the hearty local cuisine starring veal in many forms, braised beef, pastas like tajarin and agnolotti, and of course, Alba’s famous white truffles.
Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Piemonte’s climate is continental, with baking hot summers and cold winters. Nebbiolo is only part of the story here: juicy, fruity Barberas and Dolcettos represent the bread and butter throughout the region, and other native grapes like Freisa, Croatina, and the white Arneis are also noteworthy. Value abounds in the Monferrato, while Alto Piemonte also has its share of thrills to provide.
Every corner of Piemonte is rich with tradition, especially when wine is concerned. It’s no wonder we have been singing the region’s praises for over forty years.
Bèrto Italy | Piedmont
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Cantine Valpane Italy | Piedmont | Barbera del Monferrato
Tenuta La Pergola Italy | Piedmont | Monferrato Rosso
Il Palazzotto Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba
Benevelli Piero Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto d’Alba
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Langhe
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Moscato d'Asti
Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol
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