Elio Grasso 2018 'Educato' Chardonnay Langhe 750ml

In 1985, Elio Grasso planted these Chardonnay vines, and the first vintage came out in 1990. Fermented partly in wood and partly in steel, the 2017 Langhe Chardonnay Educato has some great freshness, very intentionally, as they harvested in the first few days of September to get the early fruit. The harvest was done in the cooler hours of 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., and there is no bâtonnage here. You can taste the calcareous minerality that this Chardonnay mirrors from the white clay and limestone soils the vines are planted in. This wine should be enjoyed within the next few years.

Score: 91+ points -- Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate, 243 (2017 vintage)