Cantine Garrone Munaloss 2022

Vinous chose to focus on one of those regions, Alto Piemonte, in a recent report “Small is Beautiful”. It was abundantly clear that today’s producer was one of their favorites in the entire report – they got showered with praise. And man oh man did they pick a tiny producer to show love.

Just how small? The inaugural release at Cantine Garrone was a mere 36 bottles!!!

These guys are dynamos. If it weren’t for an Italian wine loving friend, I might not even know this place existed. Cantine Garrone is located in the uber tiny Valli Ossolane DOC in Northern Italy. They are the ONLY producer in the entire DOC!

They grow mainly Nebbiolo and Barbera on super steep terraced vineyards on the slopes that sit right near the mountains of Switzerland! (Look at the pic above – how fun would it be to hand pick that baby?!?)

Wouldn’t you know it, but this tiny little producer outscored a number of big boys in Alto Piemonte including Ferrando’s white label Carema. Not surprising at all – this wine is absolutely killer. Vinous called it “bright, focused and sculpted” that’s right on the money, and it’s also absolutely beaming with energy. But it also has so much depth and structure that somehow this under $20 wine has years and years of ageability. That’s super rare.