Fratelli Alessandria, Barolo, Gramolere 2015

The 2015 Barolo Gramolere (with fruit from Monforte d'Alba) opens to a medium-dark ruby color. When you put the wine to your lips, you immediately feel the power, structure and inner fiber of Nebbiolo as interpreted in this two-hectare parcel with its 30-year-old vines. In fact, this wine is defined by that immediate firmness. The aromas, however, are softer and more yielding with forest fruit, wild berry, crushed slate and blue flower. I would suggest putting this wine aside for five more years at least.

The 2015 Barolo Gramolere is powerful and dense in the glass, with a good bit of richness but also less of the tension that is such a signature for wines from this site in Monforte. Cedar, sweet tobacco, pine, mint, dried cherry, licorice and dried flowers develop with air, adding attractive layers of complexity. Overall, the 2015 looks like it will drink well relatively early.