92 pts Vinous Galloni
Drinking Window 2027 - 2037
The 2022 Barbaresco Vallegrande is all class. Macerated cherry, cinnamon, blood orange, new leather, tobacco, mocha and dried herbs give the 2022 striking exoticism. Deep and layered, with terrific resonance and dimension, the 2022 is so impressive, especially given the challenges of the year. Finessed tannins pull it all together on the close. - By Antonio Galloni on October 2025

This set of new releases from the Grasso family spans vintages 2020, 2021 and 2022 and naturally favors the wines of stronger vintages—some of which are also Riservas—but all the Barbarescos are very fine. The Barbarescos spent about a month on the skins, followed by 20 months in wood, a little bit more for the Riservas. All the wines are aged in cask, with the exception of the Pora, which is done in 500-liter tonneaux because of smaller volumes. Readers should note that there will no Riservas in 2022, 2023 or 2024. Artisan values run deep at this small, family-run grower estate in Barbaresco.

The most traditional-style Barbaresco they make, grown on the vineyards that surround the winery, aged – as in the past – only in large botti casks (neutral). It represents the elegance of Barbaresco at its very best, without flaunting the muscle of Nebbiolo.

Planting of vineyards: between 1957 and 1999
Type of soil: bluish clayey-limestone marl
Position: facing south-west
Harvest: between the end of September and the beginning of October (2015 was an earlier pick)
Vinification and Aging: Traditional stem-free on-the-skins fermentation for 7 to 15 days in steel at a controlled temperature. The wine matures for 24 months in casks made of Slavonian oak, and is then cellared for 6 months in the bottle prior to release.