Conterno Fantino

Prinsipi from the small vineyard of the same name was once developed by son Fabio as a 100% Chardonnay and "little brother" of Bastia, but now 10% Manzoni Bianco is added, giving it more freshness and lightness. What also distinguishes it from the famous Chardonnay is the ageing in stainless steel. Fresh, crisp and very drinkable, this white wine cuts a fine figure, not only solo. SUPERIORE.DE

Strong ruby violet. In the fragrance creme de cassis, smoke, lavender and cloves. Firm on the palate, the typical Dolcetto acidity and a delicately bitter vein accompany this immensely deep and powerful Dolcetto to the fresh, fruity and impressive final. SUPERIORE.DE

Also with the Vignota, vinified from five different sites, the winery proves that even in the so-called entry-level area, a lot of excitement and richness is possible. Delicious bouquet of cherry jam, mint and rose petals. On the palate very densely woven, in addition a juiciness and extract sweetness that makes this wine an irresistible accompaniment to food. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Conterno Fantino 2018 Barbera d'Alba Vignota shows beautiful depth and intensity thanks to its pure and brilliant fruit. This Barbera is absolutely direct and linear in terms of its aromatic delivery with sour cherry, cassis and tart cranberry. Fruit comes from a 5.4-hectare plot that sees a big range in elevation from 200 to 400 meters above sea level with limestone and marl. These conditions are especially conducive to affirming the natural acidity and freshness of this food-friendly wine." Robert Parker

For us one of the best Nebbiolo of the Langhe. Some winemakers would make the entry-level Barolo from this excellent raw material. Complex, dark bouquet of wild berries, menthol, spices and rose hip. Then on the palate it is powerful, present, with a taut draught and pronounced primary fruit. The tannin well woven in and very smooth. Impeccable! SUPERIORE.DE

"The Conterno Fantino 2018 Langhe Nebbiolo Ginestrino opens to fragrant and delicate aromas straight from the Nebbiolo playlist. The wine opens to pretty aromas of wild cherry, rose, blood orange and iron ore. Winemaking starts with stainless steel and concludes with 10 months in French oak. The vines are planted in clay soils, and when you study the bouquet in depth, you do perceive a tad more structure and concentration as a result." Robert Parker

The grapes for this exotic, barrique-aged noble chardonnay come from the Bricco Bastia and Ginestra sites and the result is a bright, racy white in minimal quantity. Full, yellow fruity bouquet, round on the palate and at the same time very fresh, very firm and dry, the natural acidity harmoniously accompanies a complex, vital finish. With a little more bottle maturity he should gain further weight. SUPERIORE.DE

Classic Rosso from the Langhe, made from 50% each of Nebbiolo and Barbera grapes from the Ginestra and Bussia districts. Inviting, exuberant Barbera bouquet of raspberry jam, dark fruit, leather, tar and tobacco. In the drink then deep, chubby and very inviting, drinkable and opulent. Also very accessible at a young age. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for the immensely deep Vigna del Gris come from vines over 40 years old in the plot of land of the same name, which covers about 1 hectare. The bouquet is beguilingly harmonious, with a convincing approach, weightless and powerful at the same time. On the palate firm tannins and lots of spice, with great texture and very juicy. Long, rich finish. Don't make the mistake of opening this wine before it has gained in maturity, personality and elegance after further years in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Tasted blind. Lustrous mid to deep ruby. Balsamic nose that is a little reluctant to open up to the fruit and is a tiny bit candied. On the palate, monolithic fruit matched by a big dose of powdery tannins. Impressive concentration without going over the top." Jancis Robinson

"The 2016 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris offers a striking balance of density and the more floral, high-toned notes that are so typical of this wine. Dried flowers, rose petal, mint, sweet spice and cedar are all nicely lifted. Beams of incisive tannin give the wine its vibrant, energetic feel. I would drink it first among these four wines." Vinous

"Extremely perfumed with ripe strawberries and hints of dried flowers. Hints of hazelnuts. It’s full-bodied with a solid core of ripe fruit and ripe, polished tannins. Tight center palate. Very persistent. This is reserved now, but shows beautiful potential. Try after 2023." James Suckling

"Focused on bright cherry, black currant and freshly cut hay aromas and flavors, this red is vibrant, verging on racy. Accents of iron, tobacco and tar add complexity, and this is balanced and long on the finish." Wine Spectator

"The Conterno Fantino 2016 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris comes from a site in Monforte d'Alba that has a big component of loose sand in the soils. These well-draining conditions add to the softness and concentrated aromatic intensity of Nebbiolo. In fact, the bouquet here brings us a medley of red and purple fruits with some ripe blackberry and plum. It shows a hint of pretty cherry sweetness with spice, tobacco and candied licorice. The mouthfeel is full and generous, and this supple Barolo wraps smoothly and luxuriously over the palate." Robert Parker

The sandy soils north of Monforte d'Alba give this Barolo its extraordinary strength and structure. The bouquet is very open and appealing, with notes of dark cherries and raspberries, as well as notes of mint, rose petals and sage. Then on the palate very lively and expressive, with deep beauty, seamlessly contoured, with spectacular resonance. A fabulous wine from a very good vintage, classic and exotic at the same time. SUPERIORE.DE

"This shows density and polish with lots of chewy tannins, which are medium-grained and give the wine form. Pretty ripe fruit in the center palate. Needs two or three years to come together." James Suckling

"Sweet, ripe plum and black cherry fruit marks this mouthfilling red. Late summer pastures, mint and licorice accents chime in, and this shows plenty of grip on the compact finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Barolo Castelletto Vigna Pressenda is bright, punchy and super expressive, with striking floral and mineral top notes that lend energy and brilliance to this mid-weight Barolo. The purity of the flavors is just striking. Medium in body, gracious and nuanced, the Castelletto has so much to offer. This is a super-classic wine that shows significant tension and austerity; I would give it a few years to soften." Vinous

"The Conterno Fantino 2016 Barolo Castelletto Vigna Pressenda (with 6,500 bottles produced) draws its fruit from a 1.2-hectare site in Monforte d'Alba with silty soils mixed with sand and clay. It opens to bright cherry and dried raspberry that set the tone for the abundant primary fruit that defines the bouquet. Those red berry flavors cede to cola, spice, mint and rosemary essence. There is an almost exotic quality here spurred forward by pressed blue flower and church incense. However, the big takeaway here is the sheer energy and resonance of this classic Barolo." Robert Parker

Probably one of the most independent Barolo that has come into our glass. Impressive, very complex scent of tar, smoke, liquorice, burnt earth, dark fruit and gravel. With some aeration then dark, rich red fruits, exotic spices and smoked bacon. In the drink then very virile, dark and muscular, with an exciting contrast of severity and extract sweetness. The opulence and intensity of the taste impressions and the still monumental tannin give an idea of the great and personal red wine that matures here in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Very subtle and refined, yet there’s a line of fine-grained tannins running through the center palate. It’s medium-bodied, racy and beautiful." James Suckling

"The 2016 Barolo Mosconi Vigna Ped is another gorgeous wine in this range. The natural richness of Mosconi comes through loud and clear, but unlike most wines made from this site, Conterno-Fantino's 2015 is wonderfully polished and refined from start to finish. Ripe red and purplish berry fruit, wild flowers, licorice, mint and lavender build as this super-expressive, inviting Barolo shows off its alluring personality. The 2016 is just so phenomenally delicious." Vinous

"The Conterno Fantino 2016 Barolo Mosconi Vigna Ped shows beautiful richness and precision with abundant fruit, tar, smoke and black licorice. The wine is generous and exuberant in a manner that only Nebbiolo can be. In other words, it offers a big personality on a svelte and slender frame. Maceration times are short, lasting from 12 to 15 days, and the wine ages in barrique for 24 months. The fruit comes from a small site measuring slightly less than a hectare in Monforte d'Alba at a moderately high, cool altitude (at 360 to 380 meters above sea level). The opulence and softness of the winemaking is beautifully balanced against the precision and sharpness that is inherent to this vineyard site. Production is 6,200 bottles." Robert Parker

The flagship of the house of great personality and balance. The bouquet is complex and multi-dimensional, with dark purple, balsamic fruits on the one hand, and impressive notes of spices, tar and tobacco on the other. In the glass, as the trademark of the Sori Ginestra tas, a strong backbone of firm tannin and an acidity that leaves nothing to be desired for this cru and vintage in terms of structure, perfection and longevity. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Sorì Ginestra is rich and ample, with all of the textural resonance that this wine always shows. A rush of black cherry, plum, licorice, lavender, spice and menthol builds in a sumptuous, racy Barolo loaded with personality. Aging in oak accentuates the wine's body and overall richness." Vinous

"This intense, structured red shows black cherry, black currant, cut grass and menthol flavors allied to a sleek profile. Stays fruity while giving way to the youthful austerity of the vintage. The fine length and ripe fruit essence signal potential." Wine Spectator

"Very ripe strawberries with hints of dried flowers and incense on the nose. Some lilacs, too. A full-bodied Barolo, yet it’s tight and very well formed with precision and texture. Beautiful combination of ripe fruit and tannins. Drink after 2022." James Suckling

"f these new Baroli from Conterno Fantino, the 2016 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Sorì Ginestra shows the most underlying power, linearity and determination. While the other wines are a little softer and richer, especially on the mid-palate, this wine is all muscle and brawn. With its 15% alcohol content, its abundant bouquet and tight structural presentation, you should count on an extra long drinking window. Wait to pull the cork after the 10-year mark. At this young stage, the bouquet presents layered aromas of red fruit, tar, spice, ferrous earth and candied orange peel. There are hints of mint, eucalyptus and campfire ash. All said and done, this is a release of majesty and beauty that will make a proud and important protagonist of any collector's cellar." Robert Parker