TNR: 2010 Elio Grasso Runcot

WINE TALK
#1

I know that the Riserva has not yet hit the US. But has anyone had the chance to try the 2010 Runcot in Europe? Thanks.

#2

Well most Riservas I asked about when I was i Piemonte in May will be released in the autumn. And I fear they will be costly

#3

I put a tasting note on CT. Hope this helps.

#4

Thanks, Julian. I wasn’t sure what you meant in your note on CT where you said “Used only toasted oak for 48 months.”

#5

Frankly I can’t fully remember now (my last tasting was back in March) but I recall Grasso mentioning back then that they gave this longer than usual in oak and I would have jotted down whatever he was saying at the time since there wasn’t any critic or consumer review. Still isn’t - seems strange given the wine and vintage. I’m not a usual fan of oaky Barolos but this was spectacular. Some of my allocation was collected from them last week and I’ll be re-trying it next week at home to confirm my previous view.

#6

Thanks.

#7

It’s possible that it spent 48 months/4 years in barriques, since it could have gone into barrel in early 2011, and it stays in bottle for 18-24 months before release. But that would be a very, very long time in barriques.

In any event, what I didn’t understand was the “only … toasted oak” part because most barrels are toasted to some degree.

#8

Anything to report?

#9

I got part of my allocation a couple of weeks ago and put up this CT note:

  • 2010 Elio Grasso Barolo Riserva Rüncot - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (09/10/2016)
    Initial nose of cranberry, raspberry, balsamic, ginger, lavender and crushed rock which becomes sweeter and more like cherry cola and diverse sweet spices with air. Not as aromatic as I recall from March this year. In the mouth it is incredibly intense, full-bodied and mouth-filling with sweet balsamic and tar dominant (a signature taste of these wines at maturity too). With air the flavours begin to evolve wonderfully with great definition - sweet spices, then sweet plum, sweet new leather, liquorice, forest floor, and smoke. The finish almost has the strong grip of a fine old Cognac - in a way that reminds me of the 1935 Cappellano Barolo at the moment (see my separate note). Compelling stuff.

Of course lots of acidity - but this is the most ripe, balanced and structured Runcot that I can recall. I have found some vintages a touch ‘heavy’ but this is not the case here - intense but balanced and draws you back for sip after sip. Very high but perfectly ripe and actually sweet tannins (inc wood of course) that will need until 2020 to integrate but is by no means as painful to drink now as is the case with many other top 2010 Barolos. Incredibly long and interesting - with the taste of sweet balsamic, cherry cola, tar and spices lasting right up until the next sip. Becomes a bit drier with an hour in a glass - I’m not sure this will shut down too much but certainly it could become more muted during the next couple of years.

The best wine Elio Grasso have made. Drink 2022 to 2040. 98-99pts. (98 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

#10

All the 2010 Runcot production before bottling:

2048×1536 488 KB

My first (finished) bottle, together with the ‘company’ of a 1935 Cappellano
2048×1536 394 KB

#11

Thanks, Julian.