Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Gramolere DOCG 2021 from Monforte d’Alba is a darker, more powerful side of Barolo, showing the extra depth and structure that this higher, sandier cru is known for. Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Gramolere 2021 packs black cherry, dark plum and blackcurrant with liquorice, ferrous earth, gravel, new leather, spice and crushed rock, giving a very serious, savoury core. The palate is full‑bodied, firmly structured and tightly knit, with polished yet authoritative tannins and bright acidity driving a long, brooding finish that absolutely demands time in the cellar.

This is built for richer dishes – think slow‑braised beef, wagyu short rib, osso buco, venison or truffle‑laced mushroom ragù where that structure and depth really come into their own. It will also shine with roast lamb, game birds and aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano or Pecorino, especially on cooler nights when you want something powerful and complex in the glass. Decant for several hours and serve in large Nebbiolo or Bordeaux stems; right now it is more about potential than immediate charm.

Critic scores are outstanding – Monica Larner (Wine Advocate) gives 96 points, praising its tightly knit dark fruit, ferrous earth and polished tannins, while Antonio Galloni (Vinous) is 94–96 points, calling it hugely promising, dark and hulking, with black cherry, gravel, spice and crushed rocks. Expect a long drinking window from 2026 through to the 2040s as it slowly unfurls layers of aromatics and secondary complexity.