Tenuta Grillo Igiea 2006

Ratings

April 26, 2025

Oh come on - what a stunning magnum from Tenuta Grillo!

None of that cellar mustiness you sometimes find in their younger wines - this is just pure beauty. Full of dried berries, red flowers, damp limestone, spices, leather, and dried herbs. There's even something distinctly Nebbiolo-like in the aromatics.

But the real magic happens on the palate. It's just so delicious to drink. Incredible acidity - so juicy - and wonderfully vibrant tannins. The flavour stretches out into a long, layered finish. Dried herbs, meat, dried berries, wet leaves, barynard.

A complex, expressive, and deeply satisfying wine.

About Producer

Tenuta Grillo was founded in 2002 in Monferrato (Piedmont) by Guido Zampaglione, originally from Campania. His plan was simple—to start small and gradually increase yearly production to 80,000 bottles. But somewhere along the way, Guido realised he couldn't and didn't want to pursue that goal. For him, being fully involved in the winemaking process, including growing the grapes, to create uncompromisingly high-quality wines with strong ageing potential, was the priority. Considering that he enjoys drinking mature wines himself, he releases them onto the market after some decent ageing in bottles.

The vineyards are located in the Monferrato region, near a small village called Gamalero. The vines grow in sandy, quick-draining soil on a gently sloping upland about 350 meters above sea level. The continental climate is characterised by great heat during the day, while the nights are cooler. Wine production is based on low yields and a meticulous selection of the grapes. Winemaking features long macerations (often several weeks), indigenous yeasts, minimal use of sulfur dioxide, and the exclusion of other additives. Ageing primarily occurs in large wooden barrels.