October 2018
Aldo Conterno
Today: The Greatest Deal in Piedmont Wines
In Stock Now!
Aldo Conterno is a top modern Barolo producer. His split from his family’s winery in the late ’60s is a defining moment in Piedmont history. These are full-throttle expressions of Barolo, with deep luscious fruit and all the power you could hope for from the famed Bussia Cru. 2008 was an outstanding Barolo vintage, described by some as “Burgundian.” We’re excited to stock up on the vintage to offer the best prices to you. Click here to shop the full lineup or see the list below:
Newly Arrived 2008 Conternos:
A killer AOC Barolo, good now or cellar for another 15 years!
Aldo Conterno Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2008 750ML ($119.95) $79 special
Case-12 Aldo Conterno Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2008 750ML ($1,199.95) $819 special (that’s only $68.25/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 94 points “Beautiful raspberry, cherry and black currant flavors are backed by firm, dusty tannins in this harmonious, fresh red. Floral and tobacco notes add dimension as this cruises to a long, lingering finish. Best from 2016 through 2033. 600 cases imported.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2008 Barolo is a beautiful wine. Super expressive, knock-out aromatics lead to expressive layers of fruit. The 2008 shows gorgeous richness and depth within the context of the year. Tar, smoke, licorice and crushed rocks wrap around the finish. This is a striking, elegant Barolo from Aldo Conterno.”
Irresistible Barolo!
Aldo Conterno Bussia Cicala, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($179.95) $119 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2008 Barolo Cicala is beautifully focused and vibrant from start to finish. It boasts fabulous energy and sheer tension in its ripe red berries, spices, crushed flowers and mint. All the elements come together beautifully in the pure, delineated Barolo. Huge, powerful tannins provide the backdrop for layers of cool, mineral-infused fruit. There is a pulsating energy to the Cicala that is absolutely irresistible. This is another fabulous showing.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “There’s fine depth to this red, like a grand cru red Burgundy, with a silky texture framing black cherry, black currant and tar flavors. Solidly built, this features a deceptively charming exterior that conceals firm tannins. The finish evokes violet and black cherry notes. Best from 2016 through 2035. 250 cases imported.”
Gorgeous and expressive
Aldo Conterno Colonnello, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “Round and supple, with a fleshy profile enveloping pure cherry, raspberry and spice flavors. Ripe and harmonious, with no shortage of structure. A mineral element emerges on the tight finish. Best from 2016 through 2035. 200 cases imported.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2008 Barolo Colonnello is super impressive. It shows gorgeous richness and depth in its focused, energetic fruit. Sweet red berries, flowers and spices are woven together beautifully in the 2008 Colonnello. The elegant side of Barolo comes through, but with an extra degree of muscle. The oak, sometimes noticeable in this bottling, is very well integrated. Floral notes are woven throughout the finish. The Colonnello often gives the impression of being early to mature relative to the estate’s other Baroli, but the 2008 is surprisingly powerful and structured.”
A Barolo for the ages
Aldo Conterno Romirasco Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($249.95) $169 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “Round and supple, with a fleshy profile enveloping pure cherry, raspberry and spice flavors. Ripe and harmonious, with no shortage of structure. A mineral element emerges on the tight finish. Best from 2016 through 2035. 200 cases imported.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2008 Barolo Romirasco is striking. It possesses a cool, mineral-drenched personality similar to the Cicala, but with an extra dimension of textural finesse. Sweet red berries, flowers, mint and crushed rocks are woven together in this exquisite, gorgeous Barolo. Powerful and authoritative, the Romirasco impresses for its depth and unmistakable pedigree. Today the 2008 is an infant, but great things are in store for those who can wait.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94+ points “Bright red-ruby. Cassis, blackberry, violet and sweet oak on the nose. Sweet, juicy and imploded, with terrific verve to the urgent flavors of dark berries and bitter chocolate. Elegant, penetrating and strong, with the cut and verve to support a long and graceful evolution in bottle. Finishes with oustanding lift. “For us, the best time to drink wines is between 10 and 15 years after the vintage, whether Barolo, Burgundy or even Champagne,” noted Giacomo Conterno. “At that stage they have all the elements: fruit, acidity, tertiary character, all the characteristics of the soil. After 20 years, nearly all wines are dominated by their tertiary character.””
Also In Stock Now from Aldo Conterno
BUSSIA! Here $66, Elsewhere $86.80 + up!
Aldo Conterno Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 24+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2010 Barolo Bussia is gorgeous and super-classic in every way. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, new leather and tobacco are some of the many notes that take shape in the glass. The 2010 is a beautiful version of the Bussia, with less of the approachability of some previous vintages, but tons of potential for the future. There is a lot to look forward to here. This is one of the best versions of the Bussia I can remember tasting. The 2010 stands out for its precision and crystalline purity. Readers looking for a great 2010 Barolo that won’t kill the budget should check out the 2010 Bussia.’”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2010 Barolo Bussia is a gorgeous expression that hits all the high notes, both in terms of bouquet and mouthfeel. The nose is redolent of pressed cherries, tar, licorice, crushed granite and chopped mint. It offers the special characteristics that are so forth coming with the Nebbiolo grape. The wine caresses the palate with a fine and enduring sense of freshness and structure. The 2010 vintage is a stunner. Drink: 2016-2028.”
Aldo Conterno Colonnello, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($179.95) $125 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Spectator 98 points “A beautifully crafted Barolo, with ripe cherry, plum, leather, spice, mineral and smoke elements. Starts off supple and approachable, but the gripping tannins soon move in, securing the lengthy, spice-filled finish. An underlying mineral vein adds depth. Best from 2018 through 2036. 200 cases imported.”
From the estate’s oldest vines
Aldo Conterno Romirasco Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($219.95) $159 special, 6 bottles available
James Suckling 98 points “Beautiful dark fruits of crushed raspberries and blueberries plus hints of champignon mushrooms and black truffles. Lavender undertones. Full and chewy with lots of tannins. Old vines give this a mossy, bark-like undertone. Needs five to six years to come around.”
Wine Advocate 97 points “The stunning 2013 Barolo Bussia Romirasco represents a stylistic blend between the elegance of Monforte d’Alba and the brooding power of Serralunga d’Alba. These are magnesium-rich soils mixed with limestone and clay. Romirasco is also home to some of the estate’s oldest vines at 55-years-old on average. This beautiful wine opens to a dark and rich garnet color that comes from the concentrated fruit produced by these old plants. The bouquet is laced with mineral and iodine-like nuances with rust and iron. It comes across as rich and intense and the mouthfeel is slightly softer, but denser overall. The wine ends with long balsam tones of rosemary and dried ginger.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This packs some vanilla- and Bourbon-scented oak aromas, with a core of cherry, leather, tar, iron and tobacco flavors. Solidly built, with dusty tannins clinging to the long finish. A powerful example, this should gain finesse with age. Best from 2022 through 2040. 400 cases made.”