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2018 Nervi-Conterno Gattinara Vigna Valferana #181638207
1.5L
2 In Stock
2 In Stock
Our Notes
Legendary Barolo producer Roberto Conterno recently purchased Nervi, the oldest winery in the Alto Piemonte hamlet of Gattinara, drawn in by the exceptional quality of the nebbiolo. Valferana, one of the top sites in the appellation, was designated as early as 1231 and is revered for the elegant and mineral wines it produces. Grapes are destemmed and pressed to oak vats for a 15-day maceration before aging in large oak for four years; this is a classic alpine expression of the grape, very high toned and aromatic, with firm structure and an impressive future ahead.
Reviews 95 points Wine Advocate "...tightly chiseled and crisp, with blue flower, sour cherry, tobacco smoke, underbrush and candied orange peel. The wine offers a complete picture of the grape from Gattinara with some extra tannic edge to carry it through the years. (ML)" 96 points Vinous "...explosive right out of the glass. Supporting veins of tannin carry a core of red fruit, cinnamon, rose petal, blood orange, mint and white pepper. The Valferana is complex and wonderfully deep from start to finish. (AG)"
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About Nervi-Conterno
As the epitome of Gattinara's viticulture, Nervi-Conterno stands as a beacon of excellence in Piedmont, Italy. Founded in 1906 by Italo Nervi, the winery holds a respected place as the oldest in Gattinara. Its rich vineyard holdings encompass 28.5 hectares, including the esteemed crus Molsino, Valferana, Garavoglie, and Casacce, boasting a heritage dating back to the 13th and 15th centuries, respectively.
After two significant ownership changes - to Germano Bocciolone in 1991 and to a Norwegian group led by wine enthusiast Erling Astrup in 2011 - the winery was purchased by Roberto Conterno in 2018. He, a custodian of the Piedmontese wine legacy and a third-generation winemaker from the Conterno family, brought an unwavering commitment to enriching the estate's reputation.
The winery concentrates on three Gattinara bottlings: Gattinara, Gattinara Molsino, and Gattinara Valferana. Gattinara Valferana, the oldest recorded vineyard in the region with documentation dating back to 1231, sprawls over 8 hectares. The vineyard sits at an altitude of 360 meters, imbued with volcanic soil. The conditions here allow the Nebbiolo grapes to express vibrant red fruit aromas laced with nuances of cloves and black olives. The cooler, open west-facing slopes bestow an elegance and minerality to the wine, an aspect that greatly complements the robust power of its sister vineyard, Molsino.
Gattinara Molsino, a south-facing amphitheater revered since the 15th century, presents quite a different terroir. The higher altitude of 530 meters and extended exposure to sunshine facilitate quicker ripening and hence, an earlier harvest. Although Molsino shares the same volcanic soil as Valferana, its contrasting climatic conditions result in a wine with an intensity that mirrors the boldness of Barolo. Its reputation for producing Gattinara wines of power and finesse is deeply ingrained in Piedmont's viticulture.
The Gattinara blend encompasses superior fruit from Garavoglie and Casacce, with wine declassified from Molsino and Valferana. Aged for at least three to four years in large oak casks, these wines articulate the subtle nuances of Gattinara's terroir. The estate also crafts an enticing rosato from Nebbiolo with a dash of Uva Rara.
As the wines of Nervi-Conterno continue their journey under the meticulous and passionate guidance of Roberto Conterno and his sons, they present the allure of age-worthy, pure, and traditional expressions of Nebbiolo. These wines speak to the soul of Piedmont and are a testimony to the magical potential that Gattinara, often overshadowed by more prominent appellations, genuinely holds. For anyone with a love for Nebbiolo and its diverse terroir-expressions, the wines of Nervi-Conterno are a remarkable revelation.