Few names in Italian wine command more reverence than Giacomo Conterno. Founded in the 1920s by Giacomo Conterno and later elevated by his son Giovanni, the estate set a new standard for traditional Barolo with the introduction of Monfortino, a wine that redefined what nebbiolo could become in the hands of a visionary. Giovanni’s powerful, long-aging Barolos became the benchmark for the region, and his decision to purchase the famed Cascina Francia vineyard in 1974 cemented the estate’s reputation as one of the Langhe’s greats.
Today, the legacy continues under Giovanni’s son Roberto Conterno. With the same uncompromising approach, Roberto has confidently expanded the estate’s holdings to include Cerretta and Arione, two of Serralunga d’Alba’s most prized crus. In the cellar, tradition remains paramount. Long macerations and extended aging in large casks are paired with meticulous farming and subtle technological improvements to preserve purity and precision. The result is a lineup of wines that are deeply rooted in place and tradition, as well as among the most profound expressions of Barolo being made today.
Monfortino is one of the defining wines of Italy, a touchstone for traditional nebbiolo and a singular expression of place, time, and intent. Produced only in the most exceptional vintages, it is selected in the vineyard and made without temperature control during fermentation, then aged in large casks for seven years. The 2019 marks the return of Monfortino after a four-year absence, and it is nothing short of monumental.
Drawn from a blend of selected fruit in Francia and Arione, the 2019 is compact, austere, and coiled with latent energy. Aromas of black cherry, tea leaf, truffle, iron, and crushed stone emerge slowly, while the palate moves with a sense of inevitability and a firm, tensile, and unwavering presence. The tannins are there but are refined, the acidity alive and structural. This is nebbiolo at its most precise and profound, a wine built for aging, and contemplation over decades.
"It's been a while, alas. The last vintage of this legendary wine was 2015. Skipping forward to a year of natural richness and concentration, the Giacomo Conterno 2019 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is a magnificently executed wine. It carefully reins in the soaring power of Nebbiolo and whittles it down to extreme finesse and precision. This is the essence of the grape with no extra bells or whistles. Roberto Conterno tells me he chose not to make Monfortino in 2016 because he considered 2015 to be a superior vintage. (There is an image problem with 2015, he concedes, because 2016 was more consistent overall than 2015; however, his experience with 2015 is better.) The 2017 vintage was a contender for Monfortino, but the wine was not made. The 2018 vintage also came close to production, but a lack of diurnal temperature shifts at the end of the growing season disqualified it, Roberto Conterno explains. His heart settled on 2019, a vintage that reminds him of the tension and energy found in 2013. However, the DNA of the 2019 vintage is slightly different because this edition sees 27% fruit blended from Arione. This site adds finesse and elegance. The rest of the blend represents a special selection from Francia, and that is where this wine gets its power and age-worthy tannins. The 2019 will be released in October 2025..." 100 Points, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
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These wines are pre-arrival with an estimated arrival date of late summer. During warmer months orders are placed on hold, your wines will ship as weather permits and the daily range is consistently between 45 and 74 degrees. Please note pre-arrival sales are non-refundable as suppliers require us to make binding commitments and deposits to secure the wine.
