Wow, wow, wow...what a day of racing! And what a day for another SENSATIONAL /WORLD TOUR WINE/ !!

This bottle I actually opened yesterday on the Valle D'Aosta stage after getting home late from the /cyc/ office ~830pm (deep into les Heures des Burgers/. Valle d'Aosta is Italy's smallest and least populated region. This is an Alpine region bordering France and Switzerland, and it grows a diverse mix of different grapes, some popular elsewhere, some essentially unique to the tiny region. This wine is made from a funny little grape called Cornalin (not to be confused with Cornalin du Valais, which amusingly enough probably originated in Valle d'Aosta). This was grown in the south-facing, steeply-sloped Rovettaz vineyard, a tiny half hectare perched about the village of Quart.

Grosjean Cornalin Vigne Rovettaz 2022 ($32)

Pours a dark purple. The nose is beautiful -- blackberry bramble, slightly underripe cherry, wild herbs. The palate has a lift and transparency that brings some elegance to the wild fruit and herb. Finish is a tad bitter. Lovely acidity and rustic tannins. Needs a bit more time in bottle, but very fine.

This is our sixth wine of the Giro and we conclude tomorrow with a very special bottle. What a great GT we have had.