Barolo 2001

Loris Grasso called me about the Barolo 2000 from La Morra. By the time I called back, his Australian importer had taken it. He offered me the 2001 instead, and I have been grateful ever since.

Benedictine monks once lived on this land at the foot of the Annunziata hillside in La Morra. The Grasso family bought it in 1926. Giuseppe Grasso made this wine in a vintage Decanter's Michaela Morris calls legendary, then the bottles rested in the family's cellar for 25 years.

Sheer elegance. The structure is intact, and invisible tannins melt upon impact. This full-bodied Barolo maintains its size throughout the mid and back palate, and the palate is glazed during the finish. Red cherries, raspberry, sun-drenched roses, baked goods, pepper, earth, cinnamon-coated cherry, dried violets, cherry wood, blood orange, warm pizzelle.

Each bottle traveled temperature controlled from the estate to my warehouse. A few bottles remain for sale, and there will be no more.

Read the full story of the 54 bottles

Price: $397

Details:

• Producer: Cascina del Monastero (Giuseppe Grasso e Figli), La Morra
• Appellation: Barolo DOCG, La Morra, Piedmont, Italy
• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
• Vintage: 2001
• Serving: Stand upright for at least a day, open with care and decant off the sediment. Serve at 16 to 18°C (61 to 64°F).