Sure, this Monforte d’Alba producer is justly famous for their two amazing single-parcel Barolos, both coming from the iconic Ginestra MGA but they do several other things extraordinarily well too.  You already probably familiar with Educato, the Grassos’ Chardonnay.  It was first planted by Elio in the late 1980s because a) he was curious how the grape would do in the vineyard (very well, thank you!) and b) he loved Chardonnay and wanted to make some.  The same, more or less, goes for the the Grassos’ Dolcetto.  Elio’s wife loved Dolcetto (as does son Gianluca now) and Elio planted his in a sort of island in the sea of Nebbiolo that every year becomes the famous Barolo Gavarini Chiniera.  It’s small southeast-facing parcel that, because of its altitude, ripens slower and longer than normal for the grape, giving it far more developed flavors without the obvious fruitiness and simple flavors that can plague some Dolcetto d’Alba. While certainly not as brawny and serious as some of those wines from the oldest vines in Dogliani further south, you’ll certainly find this a lot more nuanced and complex than just about any other Dolcetto we see grown in the Langhe- a dark, layered wine rich with fig, cherry liqueur, mulberry, bitter chocolate and smoky mineral notes on a compact, juicy frame that finishes with an almond-y snap.  It’s the perfect red to serve, with a slight chill, in the backyard with burgers, a platter of smoked meats and whatnot, but is equally at home with more serious fare like red-sauced pastas, poached veal in tuna sauce, wild mushrooms or even a steak. Serious wine in an unserious vein.