Giacomo Conterno: Monfortino 2020

Giacomo Conterno winery, one of the most celebrated benchmarks in global winemaking and the ultimate expression of the Barolo tradition. 1. History of the Winery The Giacomo Conterno winery is based in Monforte d'Alba (specifically in the hamlet of Perno/Serralunga d'Alba) in Piedmont, Italy. The Origins: Founded in the early 1900s by Giacomo Conterno, the estate rose to fame when his son Giovanni created the first iconic reserve, Monfortino, in the 1920s to demonstrate the extraordinary longevity of the Nebbiolo grape in the Langhe region. The Historic Vineyards: For a long time, the winery purchased grapes from local growers until 1974, when they bought the famous Francia vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba. More recently (in 2015), the historic Arione cru, adjacent to the Francia vineyard, was added to their holdings. The Style: Under the guidance of Roberto Conterno (Giovanni's son), the winery maintains a strictly traditional philosophy: spontaneous fermentation in large wooden vats, extremely long macerations, and extended aging in large oak casks (botti grandi), without yielding to modern trends or the use of barriques. A. Barolo Riserva Monfortino 2020 (center) Monfortino is considered the epitome of Barolo, produced exclusively in exceptional vintages by selecting the finest grapes from the Serralunga crus (Francia and Arione). Tasting Notes: A majestic and complex nose with notes of ripe cherry, blood orange, dried rose, lavender, sage, mint, and tertiary balsamic and mineral spices. On the palate, it is monumental and austere yet exceptionally elegant, featuring dense tannins, taut freshness, and a virtually endless finish. Critical Scores: James Suckling: 99/100 inous (Antonio Galloni): 98/100 Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): 98/100 B. Barolo Francia 2022 Produced from the single Francia vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba, known for producing Barolos of great structure, mineral texture, and long aging potential. Tasting Notes: Broad and deep, with intense aromas of dark cherry, dried violet, licorice, tobacco, and a distinct chalky/mineral undertone. On the palate, it is structured and direct, with vibrant acidity and chiseled tannins. Critical Scores (2022 Vintage): Notes: The 2022 vintage is among the latest released or presented as previews. Critics praise its extraordinary resilience to the heat of the growing season, maintaining the austere freshness typical of the Conterno style (historical ratings for Francia consistently range between 96 and 98+ points from Vinous / Robert Parker). C. Barolo Arione 2022 Crafted from grapes harvested in the Arione vineyard acquired in 2015, located in the southernmost part of Serralunga. Tasting Notes: Expresses a darker and more balsamic character compared to Francia, with nuances of black plum, menthol, sweet tar, dark spices, and deep floral notes. The palate is broad, enveloping, rigorous, and packed with serious tannic structure. Critical Scores (2022 Vintage): International ratings for Barolo Arione (pending fully consolidated reviews for the 2022 release) consistently rank among the world's highest (averaging between 96 and 98/100 on Vinous and Wine Advocate).

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