Fratelli Alessandria is a historic and beloved winery in the village of Verduno.  Fratelli Alessandria has been impervious to many of the fads that have swept the Barolo zone over the last couple of decades. They’ve preferred to nurture Verduno’s uniqueness through organic farming (uncertified for now), native fermentations with temperature control, and, for the Barolos, long aging in large casks. This humble family and their wines have a clean, confident classicism, making them an undersung benchmark producer. 

Gramolere is a cru located in Monforte d'Alba, home to Fratelli Alessandria's only plot outside of Verduno. They own just 2 hectares here of 60-year-old vines, and began producing this Gramolere cru bottling in 2001.  The soils are much sandier than Verduno, and at 450-470m, Gramolere is also higher in elevation. Harvest here in 2021 was a bit later, on October 14th. The wine is made exactly as the other two single-cru wines, including a 30-day maceration and aging in large old Slavonian botti. 

At only 7,000 bottles made, this is a rare and exceptional Barolo for the collector. With velvety tannins and a gorgeous nose of tightly knit herbs, licorice and sour cherry, this wine already offers a complete package in its youth - but its deep color, chewy sapidity, and lifted core of acidity all point to a Barolo that will age exceptionally well for the next few decades. 

Pairing: Pork chop with Morel mushrooms, Pasta alla Gricia 

Grape: Nebbiolo  

Soil: Sandy Clay & Sandstone

Viticulture: Organic