Elio Grasso, Barolo Ginestra Casa Mate, 2008

Profound traditional Barolo from a Monforte d'Alba benchmark, drinking at maturity. Elio Grasso has long made tiny quantities of single-vineyard Barolo from two of Monforte's greatest crus. Ginestra Casa Mate comes off limestone-and-clay soils on a high ridge, giving the sturdier, more powerful and age-worthy of the pair. The 2008 was a classic, structured vintage, and at well over fifteen years this Nebbiolo has reached a complex mature plateau with plenty of grip remaining. Decant it and give it air; it rewards the effort.