Conterno Giacomo

Italy Piedmont Monforte d'Alba

The ultimate and purest expression of Barolo can be found in bottles bearing the Giacomo Conterno name. In fact, they represent the ideal of traditional Barolo: rich, powerful, massively structured, and capable of long aging in bottle. These majestic wines descend from a colossal legacy, spanning three generations of Conternos: Giacomo, Giovanni, and Roberto – in each case, the torch passing from father to son. Both Giovanni, who forged a reputation as the greatest of all Barolo producers, and now his gifted son, Roberto, have continued the important work of patriarch Giacomo.

But as much as, to quote Roberto Conterno, the wines belong to the generations that came before, Giacomo Conterno’s most exciting era may very well be its modern one. After all, Roberto benefits from the wisdom of not only his grandfather, but his legendary father, Giovanni, by whose side he worked in the cantina for 15 years. And Roberto has shown that he not only shares his father’s genius, but also his ardent devotion to tradition and history.

The First Important Barolo. The Conterno crown jewel, Monfortino, is not only arguably the greatest Barolo; it was also the very first Barolo made in what has come to be known as the classic style. At the time that Roberto Conterno’s grandfather Giacomo served in World War I, Barolo was generally sold in either cask or demijohn, meant for early drinking. But when Giacomo returned from the war, he decided to create a Barolo with immense aging potential. His first wine was a 1920 Barolo Riserva, and he soon adopted the name Monfortino in honor of his home village Monforte d’Alba. For the next 54 years, Giacomo – and then his son Giovanni – made Barolo in much the same way. Two Barolos were made, always from purchased grapes, the main distinction being fermentation technique and time in cask.

Twin Peaks. Both the iconic Monfortino and the glorious Cascina Francia are born of the same philosophy and, since 1978, have been sourced exclusively from the same vineyard (Cascina Francia). But there are several key differences, beginning in the vineyard, where, in years of outstanding quality, certain grapes are selected and reserved to become Monfortino. Subsequently, Monfortino undergoes an uncontrolled fermentation, at higher temperatures, for a slightly longer period, after which it sees more time in large oak casks (“botti”), approximately seven years compared with four for Cascina Francia. Monfortino’s extra aging in cask, says Roberto, is a consequence of the extraordinary structure, power and concentration of the wine.

Monfortino 2004 and 2010 was awarded 100/100 Wine Advocate.

VINEYARD INFORMATIONS

Francia – This great Serralunga vineyard is comprised of 14 ha (9 ha Nebbiolo and 5 ha Barbera). Soils are a mix of calcareous marls, and exposure if west by southwest.

Francia was called “Cascina Francia” on labels until 2015.

Cerretta – 2 ha of Nebbiolo and 1 ha of Barbera. Soils are heavier clay, and the exposure is primarily west.

Arione – Adjacent to Francia, Arione has similar soilsand a full southern exposure.

There are 3.6 ha of Nebbiolo in Serralunga that can produce Barolo, while 2 ha in Roddino are only entitled to become Nebbiolo d’Alba.

The Roddino vines will be replanted by 2017, and will thus not produce wine for several years.

Wine available
Wine Type Size Score Status Price

Conterno Giacomo Barolo 1958

Conterno Giacomo

Italy Piedmont Langhe

  • Red
  • 0,75lt
  • 95 js
  • IS
Red 0,75lt
95 js
IS
Price £561.78

Conterno Giacomo Barolo 1967

Conterno Giacomo

Italy Piedmont Langhe

  • Red
  • 0,75lt
  • IS
Red 0,75lt
IS
Price £302.50

Conterno Giacomo Barolo Docg 2004 Riserva Monfortino Magnum

Conterno Giacomo

Italy Piedmont Langhe

  • Red
  • 1,5ltx1
  • 100 wa
  • IS
Red 1,5ltx1
100 wa
IS
Price £3,413.87

Conterno Giacomo Barolo Docg 2005 Riserva Monfortino Magnum

Conterno Giacomo

Italy Piedmont Langhe

  • Red
  • 1,5lt
  • IS
Red 1,5lt
IS
Price £2,333.53

Conterno Giacomo Barolo Docg 2010 Francia

Conterno Giacomo

Italy Piedmont Langhe

  • Red
  • 0,75lt
  • 98 vn
  • IS
Red 0,75lt
98 vn
IS
Price £345.71

Conterno Giacomo Barolo Docg 2010 Riserva Monfortino Magnum

Conterno Giacomo

Italy Piedmont Langhe

  • Red
  • 1,5ltx1
  • 100 wa
  • IS
Red 1,5ltx1
100 wa
IS
Price £3,154.59

Conterno Giacomo Barolo Docg 2010 Riserva Monfortino [case of 3 bottles]

Conterno Giacomo

Italy Piedmont Langhe

  • Red
  • 0,75ltx3
  • 100 wa
  • IS
Red 0,75ltx3
100 wa
IS
Price £4,407.79

Conterno Giacomo Barolo Docg 2013 Cerretta Magnum

Conterno Giacomo

Italy Piedmont Langhe

  • Red
  • 1,5ltx1
  • 97 vn
  • IS
Red 1,5ltx1
97 vn
IS
Price £453.74

Conterno Giacomo Barolo Docg 2013 Riserva Monfortino [case of 3 bottles]

Conterno Giacomo

Italy Piedmont Langhe

  • Red
  • 0,75ltx3
  • 99 ws
  • IS
Red 0,75ltx3
99 ws
IS
Price £2,722.46

Conterno Giacomo Barolo Docg 2015 Francia Magnum

Conterno Giacomo

Italy Piedmont Langhe

  • Red
  • 1,5ltx1
  • IS
Red 1,5ltx1
IS
Price £540.17

Conterno Giacomo Barolo Docg 2015 Riserva Monfortino

Conterno Giacomo

Italy Piedmont Langhe

  • Red
  • 0,75lt
  • 99 vn
  • IS
Red 0,75lt
99 vn
IS
Price £1,123.55