With the Barolo Riserva Rüncot 1996, Elio Grasso crafted one of the estate’s most impressive bottlings—a wine that unites the greatness of the exceptional 1996 vintage with the distinctive character of the Ginestra cru. Situated in Monforte d'Alba on calcareous, clay-rich marl soils with a privileged southern exposure, Ginestra ranks among the most important vineyard sites in the entire Barolo appellation, yielding wines of extraordinary concentration, structure, and longevity. In Rüncot, the power of this site converges with rigorous grape selection and an élevage tailored for maximum depth and complexity. 

The 1996 vintage is revered as one of the most classic and long-lived Barolo vintages of recent decades. A long growing season and the pronounced acidity of the Nebbiolo grapes produced wines of great precision and remarkable tensile energy. While many Barolos of the vintage appeared closed and austere in their youth, Rüncot possessed extraordinary concentration and substance early on, enabling a harmonious evolution over decades.

Today, the Barolo Riserva Rüncot 1996 presents a multi-layered and profound bouquet. Dried rose petals, ripe black cherries, woodland berries, and plums form the aromatic foundation, overlaid by complex notes of truffle, tobacco, leather, and forest floor, alongside hints of tar, dark spices, liquorice, and balsamic herbs. With further aeration, nuances of mint, camphor, and toasted spices emerge, lending additional complexity. Even after decades in bottle, the fruit retains remarkable presence—not overshadowed by tertiary maturation notes, but harmoniously complemented by them.

On the palate, the wine’s impressive architecture is on full display. The structure is dense and powerful without ever feeling heavy. Today, the mature tannins are finely interwoven, continuing to provide backbone and depth. The vintage’s hallmark acidity imparts freshness, tension, and extraordinary length. Particularly compelling is the union of concentrated fruit, limestone-driven minerality, and a multi-layered texture that carries the wine across the entire palate. The long finish is shaped by red berries, spices, herbs, and a fine mineral savouriness that lingers persistently.

Today, the Barolo Riserva Rüncot 1996 rests on a superb plateau of maturity. Optimally cellared bottles display impressive harmony between fruit, structure, and tertiary evolution. Thanks to its concentration, vibrant acidity, and exceptional pedigree, the wine retains the potential for many more years of positive development and stands among the pre-eminent mature Barolos of its generation.