Elio Grasso Barolo Riserva Runcot 2020

By now, most of you know about the sheer brilliance of Elio Grasso. The vineyards are the greatest Cru vineyards in all of Barolo. The winemakers, first Elio and now led by his son Gianluca, have continuously raised the bar in Piedmont and push the envelope in terms of what can and can’t be done. It’s truly amazing.

Today, Gianluca is easily one of the best producers in this region, if not all of Italy. Forbes Magazine recently featured him in their article about “Influential Barolo Producers you Need to Know.” He seems to only be getting better with each passing vintage.

But even with all the accolades, the best vineyard sites and the most meticulous and traditionalist winemaking methods possible, I don’t think I could have imagined tasting something so dang good. This wine is absolutely perfect.

The Runcot is one of the crown jewels of Piedmont. It is only made in the best vintages. In the past decade plus, Gianluca has only made a 2010, 2013, 2015 and now a 2016 and now a 2020 Runcot. That’s how precious this wine is!

From Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“Elio Grasso and his son Gianluca have created one of the finest vineyards and wineries in the Langhe today. The energy shared by this dynamic father and son team demonstrates that no ambition is too far stretched or lofty – as long as there is a will for hard work. Investments made over the last decade include a state-of-the-art winery complete with an underground cellar, buried 45 meters below the vineyards. Recently, Gianluca says his passion has turned to vineyard work: “The point is not being the greatest wine producer. It is to be the greatest producer of grapes.”