1978 saw profoundly tannic, deeply structured Barolo wines that were naturally built for longevity; Aldo Conterno’s ’78 Barolo Bussia fits this model--now with more than forty years of perfect maturity, it’s delivering a transcendent drinking experience. Tertiary notes of smoky tar, truffles, black tea and game surround the lingering sappy cherries, dried rose petals, spice, licorice and espresso in this mature Barolo. Despite its maturity and despite being Aldo Conterno’s entry-level Barolo, this ’78 Bussia reveals an ethereal mouthfeel, a soft palate of complex notes, and fully integrated tannins that linger on the wine’s lifted finish. Deriving from 12 acres of plots in Bussia Soprana, carefully selected grapes ferment for about a month in temperature-controlled stainless steel, and the wine ages for upwards of two years in cask, followed by twelve months in bottle before release.
- Country: Italy
- Region: Piemonte
- Subregion/Classification:Barolo
- Commune/Village: Monforte d'Alba
Aldo Conterno is known as the "King of Barolo" in Italy. Poderi Aldo Conterno is situated in Monforte d'Alba on the prized Bussia Soprano vineyard, in the heart of the Barolo region. The Conterno family has been producing and aging the great Piemontese wines for more than five generations. Aldo left his legendary brother at his father's cellar (the Giacomo Conterno estate) in 1969 to pursue his own winemaking interests and reputation, creating the wines of Poderi Aldo Conterno in the "Favot" cellar. The estate exclusively vinifies its own 25 hectacres of grapes. The Conterno brothers parted ways back in the late sixties to create their own styles of Barolo, Giovanni producing the more traditional style of the two. However, Aldo's wines are not considered modern; he still refuses to age them in small barriques. The wines are more fruit driven than the earthy wines of the Giacomo Conterno estate across town in Monforte. Aldo Conterno's corporate policy of producing only the highest quality wines while mixing tradition with innovation falls directly in line with the aspirations of IWM. We offer only the highest quality wines to our clients.
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