Accornero – Grignolino Monferrato Casalese Monferace Vigne Vecchie

The Accornero estate was founded in 1897 but entered the modern winemaking age with current owner Ermanno Accornero’s father Giulio, who started making wine in the mid-1950s. It stands right in the middle of the Basso Monferrato region delimited by the the Po River (north), Tanaro River (south), and the towns of Alessandria (east) and Asti (West). The Monferrato landscape is predominantly hilly. Its soils date back to the Tertiary period, when they emerged from the sea that occupied the “Pianura Padana” (the Po Valley). The soils are made up of sandstone and limestone marl layers of the Miocene era. These are the so-called “Terre Bianche” (white soils) where fossil shells can easily be found.

Organic. Grignolino is a rare and underrated varietal, which will please fine Burgundy, Barolo and Barbaresco lovers. In fact, Grignolinos were some of Piedmont’s most expensive and sought-after wines right up to the beginning of the 20th century. They are remarkably complex, food-friendly and ageworthy. Hand harvested. Long maceration in wooden vats using the cappello sommerso technique with wooden staves keeping the cap down in contact with the must. Aged 30 months in French oak barrels (60% new) plus an additional 24 months in the bottle.

The 2016 Grignolino Bricco del Bosco Vigne Vecchie is a wild, eccentric wine that shows how Grignolino can age. Rose petal, mint, iron, dried leaves and sweet dried cherry give the 2016 a decidedly exotic quality. There is a bit of reduction, but otherwise the 2016 is very nicely done.
94 Vinous

Delicate and powerful aromatics on the nose of dark red cherry and minerals, quinine and perfumed flowers. Sweet red fruit, candied raspberry, crystallized strawberry, Asian spices and violet. Cinnamon, marzipan, blood orange and cherry pie in the mouth are nicely supported by polished but assertive tannins and lifted by vibrant acidity. Finishes very long, dense and creamy, with outstanding precision and lift.

◊  Producer's page  ◊  Producer's website  ◊
◊  Tech sheet ◊