Conterno Fantino

With the Vignota, vinified from five different sites, the winery also proves that even in the so-called entry-level range, a lot of excitement and richness is possible. Delicious bouquet of cherry jam, mint and rose petals. Very densely woven on the palate, with a juiciness, freshness and subtle fruit sweetness that make this wine an irresistible food companion. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Barbera d'Alba Vignota 2021 is a tasty entry-level wine. Crushed flowers and bright red/purple fruit give the Barbera its exuberant, charming personality. This medium-bodied, open-knit Barbera is a good choice for early enjoyment." Vinous

"Notes of ripe dark cherries and blueberries with hints of cloves, dark liquorice and cocoa beans. Medium body. Juicy and lively with slightly dusty tannins and a juicy finish." James Suckling

"The Conterno Fantino 2021 Barbera d'Alba Vignota (a certified organic wine) shows a lot of pulp, richness and texture that is woven with generous blackberry and dark fruit flavors. This wine offers a lot of natural intensity thanks to warm growing conditions and marl and limestone soils." Wine Advocate

The grapes for the immensely deep Vigna del Gris come from vines that are over 40 years old from the approximately 1 hectare parcel of the same name. 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 maturity, personality and elegance after more years in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Impresses with precise fruit, compact structure and wonderful earthy dark spice and saltiness; a lovely vertical wine that integrates ageing in small oak barrels well, revealing subtle cocoa notes and plenty of fine-grained tannin on the finish." Weinwisser

"Bright ruby red. Opens to a potpourri of truffle and iron on the nose, along with rich cherry fruit and elegant spice, to be tucked in. Dense and polished on the palate, elegant, with grippy tannin and plenty of tension, still seems young, put it away and enjoy it fully in a few years." Falstaff

"The 2017 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris is classic Gris. Bright, focused and taut in feel, 2017 offers up a whole range of floral and spice top notes that give the wine terrific freshness. On the palate, the Gris is a bit nervous, as it always is, yet with superb balance and class. The tannins can be a bit edgy here, but the 2017 keeps everything in check. This is such a pretty wine." Vinous

"I always love the purity of aromas delivered in wine from this 1.8-hectare site with loose, well-draining soils in the celebrated Ginestra cru of Monforte d'Alba. The Conterno Fantino 2017 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris boasts a slightly more delicate and finessed aromatic approach with tighter weaving and an almost fragile personality. However, the warm 2017 vintage conditions do their part to build up the concentrated power and fruit weight of this Barolo. I found this wine to be more reticent in terms of mouthfeel; however, that may be a reflection of my early tasting." Wine Advocate

"This is extremely perfumed with rose petal and orange zest to the ripe-strawberry and cherry character. Full and intense palate with layers of fruit and firm, dusty tannins. Chewy at the finish, but there’s plenty of fruit." James Suckling

The grapes for the immensely deep Vigna del Gris come from vines that are over 40 years old from the approximately 1 hectare parcel of the same name. 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 maturity, personality and elegance after more years in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with a softly lightening rim. In the nose very spicy after kitchen herbs, pepper, some anise, then leather, wet stone, then again dried rose petal, very varied. On the palate full-bodied, with very tight tannin, shows a lot of pressure." Falstaff

"The 2018 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris is elegant and woven tightly together with small berry fruits, redcurrant, wild lilac and violet, crushed stone and licorice root. With fruit from Monforte d'Alba, the wine is streamlined and silky, but you also sense the power and tightness of the inner fiber that locks it all together with seamless precision." Wine Advocate

"Dense nose with licorice-tinged, crushed raspberries and blackberries. Full-bodied and full-fruited palate, then there’s a steady, velvety-tannin build through the long finish. Really well structured and polished. Showing great promise. Excellent 2018 from the Monforte d’Alba zone. Give it the time it needs to show its best. Try after 2025." James Suckling