1961 is widely considered one of the great Piemonte vintages of the 1960s, and this Giacomo Conterno Barolo stands the test of time. This wine’s remarkable primary red and blue fruits dance against a framework of worn saddle leather, crushed herbs, dried rose petals, warm earth, and tertiary notes of autumn leaves, roasted game, and white truffles. At once ethereal and powerful, this Barolo floats on the palate while its spectacular minerality and surprising acidic core propel its silky, complex and kaleidoscopic finish. A magical wine, Conterno’s ’61 Barolo captivates from every angle, embodying its majestic vintage with its sheer finesse and breathtaking longevity. This 1961 Barolo dates from the years when the Giacomo Conterno estate still purchased their grapes from trusted local growers with prime vineyards in Monforte and Serralunga; this Barolo was crafted almost entirely by Giovanni, Giacomo’s son, in traditional methods.
- Country: Italy
- Region: Piemonte
- Sub Region/Classification: Barolo
- Commune/Village: Monforte d'Alba
Cantina Conterno began in 1908 when Grandfather Giovanni Conterno started making wines. While not technically labeled Monfortino at the time, the now legendary riserva was born in 1915 when Giovanni placed emphasis on premium quality Barolo made only in great vintages with long fermentation and aging periods to create the best aging potential. This philosophy was inherited and taken to astronomical heights by his son Giacomo. The Conternos managed to stay afloat and even prosper over the years thanks to the Italian tradition of giving Barolo as a prestigious Christmas gift (the practice was quelled when Champagne became an international symbol for celebration): like just a few otherproducers, they had substantial orders from the likes of Fiat and Pirelli to feed their success. When his own work was done and the family operation had reached great heights, in the early sixties, Giacomo decided to pass the winery to his sons, Giovanni and Aldo. The credo they were taught: Only premium quality can bring prestige to the Langhe. Giovanni and Aldo worked together until 1969, when Aldobranched off and founded his own estate, the Poderi Aldo Conterno.
Untilrecently, this famed estate was run by Giacomo’s eldest son, GiovanniConterno. With Giovanni’s recent passing, his son Roberto continues thetraditional winemaking of the Langhe that has always been practicedhere, resulting in the earthy kinds of wines with notes of roses andtar that made Barolo what it is.
Fanatics of quality known fortheir long-lived wines, this estate recently narrowed its focusstrictly to Nebbiolo and Barbera. Only the highest quality grapes fromCascina Francia in Serralunga d’Alba are used for their two famedBarolos: the Cascina Francia’ and the legendary Monfortino' Riserva.The densely planted Francia vineyard has southwest exposure and isabout 400 meters above sea level. Grapes gathered here offer deeptannins, creating ideal cellaring wines.
|
