Aldo Conterno was and will continue to be a contemporary legend in Barolo. His passing earlier this month at the age of 81 will leave a void in Piedmont that will be felt throughout the world of wine. The following Barolo primer and the accompanying Aldo Conterno tasting note, are offered as a toast to his lasting legacy.
Inspired by the prestige of the Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy, Barolo producers have attempted to define the best vineyards for producing wine. Although not officially recognized by Italian law, the practice has become common place with many producers noting the vineyard source proiminently on their bottles. This has led to vineyards being designated as “Crus” and wines with these designations are regarded as being the most prestigious and collectible. The chart below shows some of the most prominent “Crus” along with the Commune in which they are located. (note: some of the vineyards overlap communes)
| “Cru” Vineyards in Barolo | ||||
| Barolo | La Morra | Castiglione Falleto | Serralunga d’Alba | Monforte d’Alba |
| Brunate | Brunate | Bricco Rocche | Falleto | Bussia |
| Cannubi | Cerequio | Monprivato | Ornato | Cicala |
| Cannubi Boschis | Giachini | Villero | La Serra | Colonnello |
| San Lorenzo | Fiasc | Rionda | Santo Stefano | |
| Sarmassa | Ginestra | |||
Giovanni continued making wines under the label of Giacomo Conterno. A staunch traditionalist, the wines of Giacomo Conteno are often brutishly tannic, fully extracted beasts that require decades long aging to be approachable if not enjoyable. Yet, his two Barolo, Cascina Francia and Monfortino Riserva are some of the most sought after Barolo wines.
To conversely label Aldo as the Modernist compared to his brother would not be entirely accurate or fair. However, he realized almost immediately that he wanted to better manage Nebbiolo’s harsh tannins and craft Barolos that would be more accessible when young. In an interview that Conterno gave in 2010 he stated: “I always heard my Father’s voice saying that Barolo needed all that tannin to last. The first year I changed that, in 1978, my hands shook from fear.” However, Conterno is a self described “moderate traditionalist”, though he admits with undisguised satisfaction that his sons have brought out a progressive streak in his nature. “Today we can make cleaner, fresher wines of great color, richer fruit and softer tannins than before, but without losing the noble stature that is unique to Barolo,” he says. Aldo’s three sons began managing the daily operations of the estate in the mid to late 90’s and although he withdrew from the operation, Aldo never truly “retired” and was always quick to share advice or opinion. According to a Wine Spectator interview, when talking about proposals made several years ago to legally allow Barbera or Syrah into Barolo in order to aid color, Conterno scoffed: “Barolo doesn’t need that! We are lucky to have the land that gives this wine, why would we change it? Why make a wine anyone could make anywhere else?” As Aldo left the room his son Franco laughed. “He’s a lion. He was born in August you know. He’s a Leo.”
Indeed. Riposa in pace leone. Riposa in pace.
Additionally, a fourth Barolo, from the Bussia Vineyard, is the subject of this tasting and the latest contributor to the Tuscan Vines “Cellar Notes” column:
The 1989 Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia is a benchmark wine. It’s wine that’s almost impossible to describe with words. I decanted the Barolo about 30 minutes before dinner to remove an enormous coffee grind like sediment from the bottle. Given the wine is 23 years old, I didn’t want it falling apart in the decanter. As it turned out, all such fears were completely unfounded. In the decanter, the wine is dark garnet red. It hardly looks it’s age. In the glass, the maturity of the wine is more evident as the rim is broad with brick and slightly orange colors. The nose of the wine is simply magnificent. Deep, ripe red cherry aromas dominate with all manners of tertiary complexities woven through the core of fruit. There’s anise, seemingly in both spice and menthol form, smoked meats, abundant rose and lavendar floral tones, turned earth and mushrooms, and slight spice to the fruit. Complex, seamless. In the mouth, the fruit dominates, even at 23 years of age! Joining the harmony are mushroom, spice, anise and dried meats. The tannins are still chalky and somewhat chewy, but with duck confit, they melted away to reveal the fruit even more. Everything is in balance. A true hallmark wine and one that will not be easily eclipsed. 99 points. About $50 upon release.
 |
| 1989 Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia: Note the color, and even the fine sediment that made it past my funnel filter. A true masterpiece! |
Tutto a posto!
John, a hallmark article which I've put to my hard drive for reference (something I rarely do). Thanks for your efforts here, only wish I'd been drinking wine when this 99 pointer was a available, but the adventure always has a new venue, always a new turn, and always interesting people!
Dennis, thanks for the kind words. Save those wines. It's the only way to have these experiences. I wish I had older Bordeaux from 80's but I wasn't into it then either. There are great vintages to save now though, and I've got enough for me resting. 🙂
Funny you said that, as I bought another Sandrone Le Vigne 2004 Barolo ($30 less)just to do that and to compare; when I know the End is near, I'll open it! 😉