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1978 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino Speciale #208485352
750ml
Reviews 100 points Vinous "The 1978 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is a poignant reminder of how moving the epic Monfrotinos are. This is an especially brilliant bottle. Huge swaths of tannin wrap around a core of dark, balsamic-inflected fruit in a young, virile Barolo that will drink well for another two to three decades. The 1978 remains a seminal Monfortino. Wow! (AG)" 98 points John Gilman "The 1978 Monfortino is the first vintage produced entirely by the Conternos from the Cascina Francia vineyard in Serralunga. I have had the pleasure to taste this wine a handful of times previously, but this was the first time where we gave the wine a solid four hours decanting time prior to pouring. The result was the finest expression of the ?78 Monfortino that I have had the pleasure to taste, as the wine simply opened up completely, while never losing any of its depth, power or purity. Not surprisingly, the 1978 Monfortino is a monumental bottle of Barolo, and a very strong candidate for wine of the vintage. The magical bouquet is deep, profound and wide open with four hour?s air, offering up a beautiful blend of cassis, black cherries, black licorice, roses, tobacco, herbs, smoke and earth. On the palate the wine is deep, pure and absolutely stunning, with perfect balance, First Growth focus and breed, an impenetrable core of candied fruit, well-integrated tannins and acids, and a monumentally long and complex finish. This is as good as Barolo gets, and the scary thing is that it may even get better with further bottle age. (JG)"
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About Giacomo Conterno
Cantina Giacomo Conterno, under the meticulous stewardship of fourth-generation vintner Roberto Conterno, is synonymous with the epitome of Barolo craftsmanship. The wines, including the crown jewel—Barolo Monfortino, have been recognized globally for their exceptional quality, tradition, and longevity.
Under Roberto's watchful eye, the estate has expanded its vineyard holdings to include three of the most renowned crus in Serralunga d’Alba: Cascina Francia, Ceretta, and Arione. It has been a testament to the estate's shift from purchasing grapes to cultivating and bottling their own, thereby giving them more control over their viticulture and harvesting techniques.
Experimentation has been key in their vineyards, with Roberto and his team continually refining their cloning methods and replanting cuttings from highly-regarded vines to elevate the quality of their wines. Inside their cellars, the long-standing family tradition of non-interventionist winemaking prevails. This includes extended macerations, natural fermentations, and prolonged aging in large oak botti, creating some of the world's most age-worthy wines.
The estate's focus on traditional winemaking has remained steadfast. They continue to produce robust, elegantly-structured wines, paying homage to the terroir-driven character of Piedmont's Nebbiolo grape. Their wines, especially the Monfortino, crafted with an unhurried fermentation process and up to eight years of barrel aging, are widely considered to be the perfect expressions of Nebbiolo.
The estate's commitment to uphold its roots and perpetuate its winemaking legacy is a testament to their unwavering devotion to the craft. Roberto Conterno's forward-thinking yet respectful approach to winemaking has significantly elevated the estate's reputation. From using the latest technology in sorting and destemming to marking each cork with a unique code to reduce cork taint, the continual pursuit of perfection is evident in every bottle that bears the Giacomo Conterno name.