2000 Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Chiniera- Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (4/10/2022)
Outstanding bottle! This is barely clinging to life though. After reading prior reviews I coravined a glass a few hours before pouring to assess how much air is needed. The verdict was that this is best between 30-90min after opening. The decline after 90-120min was so fast that I coravined the first half of the bottle to minimize air contact for the second half of the bottle.
Color: ruby core to brown straw edge, moderate browning.
Extremely aromatic nose of deep black cherry with some morello cherry and a powdery dried rose petal texture, some prune notes arrive after about 1 hr open, leather.
Palate: aged black fruit core, fruit is very alive shortly after opening, floral rose through the middle and finish, hints of leather. Acidity is still very present, medium silty tannins are fully mouth-coating.
I am surprised it faded that fast. I love Elio Grassoâs wines and have had several good older bottles. They seem to drink well early and though better with age.
LarryâI only meant âfadedâ in a relative sense. It was still very good, but seemed to close down and become more muted on both the nose and palate after 2 hours. Itâs possible if I had been more patient it would have reopened, but I found it most vibrant about 1hr after opening.
Reading the cellartracker reviews of this bottle had me very concerned before openingâthere were several reviewers who had bad bottles, or bottles that were well into decline, so I was on-edge before opening. Fortunately, my bottle was a very pleasant positive surprise! But I was primed to be worried that a long decant may be more harmful than helpful, and I think thatâs still my view after drinking. Youâre right though, John, I should have worded that differently.
