2021 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Gramolere, Piedmont

The 2021 Barolo Gramolere is a hugely promising wine. Black cherry, gravel, spice, new leather, licorice and crushed rocks add to an impression of gravitas. A dark, hulking wine, the 2021 is going to need time to be at its best. Today, it is a touch reduced, but a racking should take care of that.

94-96 points Antonio Galloni vinous.com

Moving over to Monforte d'Alba, the 2021 Barolo Gramolere was harvested almost a week after the vineyards in Verduno and takes on a bit more pigment in its medium red color. An expressive wine, it has a stylistic, graceful feel but offers more sapidity, lifting with notes of cherry liqueur, pressed herbs, sweet leather, and intertwining floral components. Over the long term, this is going to become a bit more contemplative in the range and offers a very complete feel at this early stage. The palate has velvety tannins, refreshing, balanced acidity, and an exceptional finish with darker mineral accents. I have to say, this might be my favorite from this producer in this vintage, and I would love to have several bottles stashed away to check in over the years. Bravo. Drink 2026-2056.Drink 2026-2040.

96+ points Audry Frick, for Jeb Dunnuck May 2025

From a vineyard site in Monforte d'Alba, the Fratelli Alessandria 2021 Barolo Gramolere shows a little more structure and power with tightly knit fruit, dark plum, ferrous earth and licorice. This vineyard comes to family ownership via the matriarch, Flavia Manzone, who was born in this village. Polished tannins push a smooth-sailing mouthfeel. Drink 2026-2040 

96 points Moncia Larner for Robert Parker Jun 2025

High on the slopes above Monforte d’Alba lies the Gramolere vineyard, one of the most dramatic and respected sites in the Barolo region. Here the vines cling to steep hillsides of compact clay and limestone soils that give Nebbiolo remarkable structure and longevity. Fratelli Alessandria, a historic Verduno estate founded in 1870, farms parcels in this prized cru with the same traditional philosophy that has guided the family for generations. Today Vittore Alessandria leads the winery, continuing a style built on respect for terroir, careful vineyard work and classic long macerations followed by ageing in large Slavonian oak casks. Gramolere is known for producing Barolo with depth, firmness and serious ageing potential, offering a more powerful expression compared with the fragrant elegance typically associated with Verduno.

A deep garnet colour signals the concentration of this wine. The aromas unfold gradually with layers of dark cherry, dried rose and wild raspberry followed by hints of liquorice, spice, tobacco and earthy truffle notes. On the palate the wine shows impressive structure with firm Nebbiolo tannins wrapped around flavours of sour cherry, blood orange and crushed herbs. The clay rich soils of Monforte give the wine a darker, more muscular profile while still maintaining the lift and clarity that mark the Alessandria style. As the wine opens, savoury notes of forest floor, leather and mineral complexity emerge, carrying through a long persistent finish.

This Barolo pairs beautifully with braised beef, slow cooked lamb shanks, game meats or rich mushroom dishes. Built for patience, it will reward careful cellaring for twenty five years or more as the tannins soften and layers of spice, truffle and dried fruit develop.