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Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
Cicala is a plot within the Bussia vineyard. “Cicala” [meaning: balm-cricket] is about 40-45 years old and the vines are replanted from time to time. It's fabulous South South-West location enhances the nobility of the clayey-calcareous soil, rich with calcium carbonate and iron, typical of Barolo hills. The wine of this cru gives itself firm determination by playing on the most classical elements of the Nebbiolo vine and its spicy notes give a crystal idea of the uniqueness of this soil.
Poderi Aldo Conterno is a well-regarded and much soughter-after Piedmont producer known for its wines from Monforte d'Alba. Aldo Conterno, who died in 2012, was regarded by many as the greatest of all Barolo winemakers. The vineyard holdings total around 25 hectares (62 acres) and are mostly situated on south-and southwest-facing slopes with chalky-clay soils. Aldo Conterno has been labelled a Barolo modernist, and this was often stated in comparison with his brother Giovanni of the staunchly old-school Giacomo Conterno estate. The business was founded in 1969 when Aldo bought the Favot estate with its Bussia holdings. Always following a strict family tradition, red wines are neither clarified nor filtered.
Wine Information
The farmhouse Poderi Aldo Conterno is situated in Bussia, in the village Monforte d’Alba, which is the very heart of the typical area of Barolo wine. At present, the farm, which vinifies exclusively its own grapes, consists of about 25 hectares of vineyard.
What Poderi Aldo Conterno wants to offer is simply the interpretation of a ground through its deep rooted beliefs, by trying to mediate and to mix tradition with innovation, according to the Latin saying "in medio stat virtus". The cru vineyards of Poderi Aldo Conterno portray the real expression of Langa terroir. The family Conterno has always had a relationship of perfect symbiosis with these cru, trying to enhance all their most peculiar characteristics through a wise and hard work in the vineyard. The wine of these cru gives itself with firm determination by playing on the most classical elements of Nebbiolo vine and its spicy notes give a crystal idea of the uniqueness of this soil.
For five generations the Conternos have produced wine in the heart of Langa in Monforte d'Alba. In the beginning of the 20th century Giovanni Conterno returned from Argentina to help his father to manage the vineyard, and the production soon grew to consist export to America. In response to market demand, the Conternos then felt the need to create a superior Barolo, to be produced exclusively from the best vintages, with a long VINIFICATION period and capable of lasting over time. In the 1920s the first Barolo reserve was bottled.
Giovanni's son Giacomo took over the management of the vineyard at the end of the ‘30s, with the help of his sons Giovanni and Aldo. Aldo soon travelled to America to assist his uncle in the local marketing, and after his return in 1961 the two sons got the responsibility of the vineyard. During the years Aldo spent in America a dream on an own vineyard had formed, and that dream came true in 1969 when Aldo formed the estate Poderi Aldo Conterno.
Aldo Conterno's three sons Franco, Giacomo and Stefano have managed the estate since the mid 1990's. They respect the heritage of their father – the purity of the vines and the soil, and the very small, high quality harvest.
Vuosikerta 1997
Italian Vintage Report by Tb: In 1997, the entire Italian wine industry was rejuvenated by one of the greatest vintages of all time. The only negative aspect of the year was subzero night temperatures in April and May, which damaged exceptionally early buds and flowers. As a result, crop yield was lower than desired. Otherwise, the summer season was blessed with sunny and warm weather. Temperatures soared in August and September and the grapes ripened two weeks earlier than normal. This took Piedmont by surprise, as Nebbiolo ripened before Barbera, which was unprecedented. The small grapes were so well balanced that there were only four other Italian vintages like 1997 in the 20th century. Otherwise, the acidity of the grapes has fallen below normal levels due to their ripeness. In Tuscany the situation was the same as in Piedmont – there had not been a harvest of such quality since 1947. The wines can still take years of aging and up to decades for Barolos and Barbarescos .