2020 Giacomo Conterno, Barolo Monfortino - Barolo Riserva - 1 Bottle (0.75L)

Barolo Riserva DOCG Monfortino
Vintage: 2020
Producer: Azienda Vitivinicola Giacomo Conterno (Monforte d'Alba / Serralunga d'Alba)
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo (selected from the best grapes of the Francia vineyard with a percentage from the Arione vineyard)
Tasting Notes (Barolo Riserva Monfortino 2020)
Monfortino is considered one of the absolute greatest red wines in the world, produced only in exceptional vintages and aged for about 6 years in large oak casks.
Appearance: Clear, bright garnet red, with brilliant orange hints along the rim.
Nose: Extraordinarily complex, balsamic, and expressive. Aromas of sour cherry, wild strawberries, pomegranate, dried rose petals, fresh mint, sweet tar, liquorice, eucalyptus, forest floor, and subtle ferrous/mineral nuances emerge.
Palate: Striking elegance and refined class on the palate. Imposing yet supple structure, supported by a fine-grained, chalky tannic texture. The acidic freshness is vibrant and leads into a savory, almost endless finish, rich with returning notes of red fruit, spices, and balsamic hints.
Critical Acclaim & Scores
The 2020 vintage of Monfortino Riserva reaffirms the wine's absolute excellence:
Critic / Guide Score / Rating
James Suckling 99 / 100
Ian D'Agata (Wine Review) 99 / 100
Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 98 / 100
CellarTracker (Wine Enthusiasts Average) 98 / 100

History of the Giacomo Conterno Winery
The Giacomo Conterno winery is a fundamental pillar and a global icon in the history of Barolo and traditional Piedmontese winemaking:
Origins (Early 1900s): The Conterno family was making wine in Monforte d'Alba as early as the 19th century. In 1900, Giovanni Conterno officially founded the winery. At that time, Barolo was sold in bulk in carboys; Giovanni was the first to realize the need to create a long-aging wine and bottle it directly.
The Birth of "Monfortino" (1920s): In the 1920s, upon returning from World War I, his son Giacomo Conterno created the winery's first flagship Riserva, naming it Monfortino as a tribute to their hometown (Monforte d'Alba). It was one of the very first Barolos bottled under its own label intended for extended aging.
The Era of Giovanni and Aldo Conterno (1950s–1960s): Giacomo passed the torch to his sons Giovanni and Aldo in the 1950s. In 1969, Aldo decided to forge his own path by founding "Poderi Aldo Conterno," while Giovanni Conterno took full charge of Giacomo Conterno, preserving its strictly traditionalist philosophy.
The Acquisition of Cascina Francia (1974): Historically, the Conterno family bought grapes from local growers. In 1974, Giovanni made a landmark decision by purchasing the entire Francia vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba (14 hectares), the ideal terroir that gave birth to subsequent legendary editions of Barolo and Monfortino.
Modern Management (Roberto Conterno): Since 1988, Giovanni's son, Roberto Conterno, has led the estate. Roberto has raised quality standards even further with obsessive precision in both the vineyard and cellar, expanding the estate with the acquisition of the Cerretta vineyard (2008) and the Arione vineyard (2015).
Today, the Giacomo Conterno brand remains the ultimate guardian of traditional Barolo: extended skin contact fermentations, aging exclusively in large oak casks, and zero compromises on quality.