The Story
Conterno’s Monfortino is a heavyweight contender for the best Barolo around, and it definitely has our vote. It’s a matchless experience of power paired with subtlety and the effect is quite seductive. As it opens, you’ll experience classic hints of rose, earthy black truffles, cigar box, and anise in a boldly structured wine that’s still quite fresh.
Antonio Galloni of Vinous said it’s a “magnificent” wine that “explodes from the glass with a luxurious, expansive personality that leaves me speechless.” The lucky people who share this bottle with you likely will never forget it.
Monfortino is the very first Barolo made in what has come to be known as the classic style. Earlier Barolos were generally sold in either cask or demijohn, and meant for early drinking. Giacomo decided to create a Barolo with great aging potential. His first wine wine was a 120 Barolo Riserva, and he soon adopted the name Monfortino in honor of his home village Montorte d'Alba.
In 1959 Giovanni Conterno began making the wine at his family domaine, taking over from his father Giacomo. The legendary Barolos he made in 1964, 1971, 1978, 1985 and 1990 have left their mark in Italian wine history.