Conterno Fantino

At Conterno Fantino, the Dolcetto grape is always processed with great sensitivity. Deep ruby violet colour. Aromas of crème de cassis, smoke, lavender and cloves. Firm on the palate, the typical Dolcetto acidity and a delicately bitter vein accompany this incredibly powerful Dolcetto through to the fresh, fruity and delicate final. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Dolcetto d'Alba Bricco Bastia from organic farming is densely packed with sweet blackberries and blackcurrants. The wine is dense and rich with bitter almond and blue flower in the background. There is a lot of varietal character in this wine." Wine Advocate

"The Dolcetto d'Alba Bricco Bastia 2022 is a very nice wine. Crushed blue fruits, menthol, liquorice and baking spices are beautifully highlighted in this delicate, understated Dolcetto. Like so many Dolcettos, the 2022 is more finesse than power." Vinous

"Aromas of ripe blueberries and mulberries with rose petals and peppery undertones. Medium body with a polished texture and fine tannins. Fresh and floral on the finish." James Suckling

With the Vignota, vinified from five different vineyards, the winery also proves that a great deal of excitement is possible even in the so-called entry-level range. Thanks to the marl and limestone soils, this wine offers plenty of natural intensity. Delicious bouquet of cherry jam, mint and rose petals. Very densely woven on the palate, with a juiciness, freshness and subtle fruit sweetness that makes this wine an irresistible accompaniment to food. SUPERIORE.DE

"This rich Barbera is full of black cherries, blackberries and plums and shows a slight hint of toasted oak on the finish. Well integrated and long." Wine Spectator

"The 2022 Barbera d'Alba Vignota is a beautiful expression with elegant fruit, dried blueberries, blackcurrants and a dusty mineral note framing the whole with clean and crisp lines. It has a medium fullness of fruit and an alcohol level of 15%, which is picked up by the wine's dense texture. Nevertheless, this is by no means a heavy wine." Wine Advocate

For us, one of the best Nebbiolo from the Langhe. Some winemakers would make the entry-level Barolo from this excellent base wine from younger parcels. Multi-layered, dark bouquet of wild berries, menthol, spices and rosehip. The palate is powerful, present, with a taut finish and pronounced primary fruit. The tannins are well woven and very supple. Impeccable elegance! SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo Ginestrino is laced with crushed red berry fruit, cedar, tobacco, spice, mint and dried flowers. This lithe, elegant Langhe Nebbiolo has quite a bit to offer. It's a lovely entry-level offering, especially in this vintage." Vinous

"The Conterno Fantino 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo Ginestrino reveals medium-rich concentration with primary fruits that touch the darker side of the Nebbiolo spectrum. Notes of blackberry and wild plum are softened by oak, tarry spice and toasted cinnamon. The wine deserves a bigger drinking window, probably taking it up to the 10-year mark." Wine Advocate

"Fine and polished with lightly chewy tannins and a medium body. Juicy and red-fruited with hints of cocoa. Velvety finish." James Suckling

The grapes for this exotic, barrique-aged noble Chardonnay come from the Bricco Bastia and Ginestra vineyards and the result is a bright, racy white wine in a minimal edition. Full, yellow-fruity bouquet, round and at the same time very fresh on the palate, very taut and dry, beautiful citrus notes harmoniously accompany the complex, vital finish. With a little more bottle ageing, it should continue to improve. SUPERIORE.DE

Classic Rosso from the Langhe, made from 50% Nebbiolo and 50% Barbera grapes from the Ginestra and Bussia districts. Inviting, exuberant Barbera-influenced bouquet of raspberry jam, dark fruit, leather, tar and tobacco. Deep, plump and very inviting, drinky and opulent on the palate. Very accessible even at a young age. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Langhe Rosso Monprà 2020 is a blend of Barbera from old vines (planted in 1971) and Nebbiolo from Bussia Sottana. Juicy and expressive, with plenty of Nebbiolo nerve, the Monprà delivers the goods. Juicy black cherry, gravel, spices, menthol, liquorice, dried flowers and a hint of French oak all come together in this wine. The 2020 is a particularly beautiful edition of the Monprà." Vinous

"The Langhe Rosso Monprà 2020 shows lovely richness and concentration in this hot vintage with dried cherry, blackberry, spice and liquorice (both red and black). The flavours are up front, but the wine shows a streamlined mouthfeel to close gently." Wine Advocate

The grapes for the exceptionally deep Vigna del Gris come from vines over 40 years old from the 1-hectare plot of the same name in Monforte d'Alba. The bouquet is beguilingly harmonious, with a convincing attack, weightless and powerful at the same time. Firm tannins and plenty of flavour on the palate, with a great texture and very juicy. Long, rich finish. Don't make the mistake of opening this wine until it has gained in maturity, personality and elegance after a few more years in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris is another great wine from Conterno-Fantino. Crushed flowers, cedar wood, pipe tobacco, mint, dried flowers and worn leather give the 2019 an impressive aromatic presence. Fabio Conterno has also managed to tame the tannins of the Monforte here. The Gris is really impressive. I would drink it before the other 2019s." Vinous

"Offers attractive notes of cherry and raspberry as well as flavours of iron, tar and undergrowth, wrapped in an embrace of toasted oak. Overall, this red wine is balanced, and the fruit should develop over the next decade as all the elements integrate. Long, resonant finish." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris is very robust and powerful on the nose. It needs more time in the bottle to develop and overcome its youthful phase. This wine is definitely ready to give more to those who wait. It opens with a dark garnet colour and ripe aromas of cherries, plums, roses and orange peel. After a few minutes, additional spices and nutmeg emerge. The tannins are still grippy." Wine Advocate

"Notes of red berries, crushed herbs and orange blossom with hints of lilac and wet stones. Medium to full-bodied. Fleshy and mouth-filling with polished tannins. Refined and supple. A hint of slightly bitter spices on the finish." James Suckling

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

"Intriguing bouquet with notes of cherries, leather, with a touch of sage flavours; juicy, harmonious texture with finely chiselled tannins, finishes long and multi-layered. Pleasing with its elegant style and character." Vinum

"Presents cherry, raspberry, sun-kissed hay, mineral and spice aromas and flavors that curl around an acidic spine and tannins. This has all the right components, matched to a slim, taut frame, with fine length." Wine Spectator

"Fresh and vibrant with red berry, blood orange, crushed hazelnut, hibiscus and spice aromas and flavors. Medium- to full-bodied, tense and linear with a backbone of firm, finely grained tannins and steady minerality. Needs some time. Try after 2027." James Suckling

"The Conterno Fantino 2019 Barolo Castelletto Vigna Pressenda is medium dark and more concentrated compared to many of its peers. This wine shows a solid bouquet with fixed aromas of wild cherry, long-stemmed rose and candied orange. With time, even more floral aromas are coaxed forward from the bouquet. Beyond those are oak-driven notes of allspice and cinnamon. The tannins are polished, and the wine offers quite a bit of fruit texture." Wine Advocate

"The 2019 Barolo Castelletto Vigna Pressenda is gorgeous. Delicate and perfumed in the glass, the 2019 offers up a beguiling mélange of dark red cherry, rose petal, mint, cedar, blood orange, spice and crushed autumn leaves. In 2019, the Monforte tannins are especially refined, something that is very rarely the case here at this stage. What a wonderfully precise, sophisticated, nuanced wine this is. Impressive." Vinous

Ginestra is a large and beautiful vineyard site in Monforte d'Alba, bathed in morning light and offering a panoramic view of the castle of Serralunga d'Alba. The flagship wine of the house with great personality and balance. The bouquet is multi-layered and multi-dimensional with dark purple, balsamic fruit on the one hand and impressive notes of spices, tar and tobacco on the other. In the glass, the Sori Ginestra is characterised by a pronounced, strong backbone of taut tannins and an acidity that leaves nothing to be desired for this cru in terms of structure, completeness and longevity. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Conterno Fantino 2020 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Sorì Ginestra has notes of perfumed oak spice, pine cones, liquorice root, pastis, root beer, plump cherry fruit, baked ripeness and wild mint on the finish. This is a generous, complex and well-structured Barolo. The oak impression is particularly strong at this young stage and the wine needs more time in the bottle." Wine Advocate

"The Barolo Ginestra 2020 Vigna Sorì Ginestra combines finesse with power, as can be the case with the best vineyards here. Crushed flowers, orange peel, spices, mint, white pepper and tobacco give it a remarkable aromatic presence. The 2020 starts light, then explodes in the mid-palate and on the finish, showing remarkable structural depth and finesse." Vinous

"Generous oak spices are in great harmony with the rich fruit and agile structure of this classic, memorable Barolo. Tantalising aromas of cedar, cinnamon, iodine and sour cherry combine with warm red cherries, cranberries and chalky mineral notes on an appropriately tannic texture. Best from 2030." James Suckling

Impressive, very complex aroma of tar, smoke, liquorice, scorched earth, dark fruits and pebbles. With some aeration, dark, rich red fruits, exotic spices and smoked bacon. Very virile, dark and muscular on the palate, with an exciting contrast of austerity and extract sweetness. The opulence and intensity of the flavours and the still monumental tannins give an idea of what a great red with a strong personality is maturing here in the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Conterno Fantino 2020 Barolo Mosconi Vigna Ped has aromas of brandied cherry, Luxardo cherry liqueur, oak toast, licorice root and dark rye. This Barolo is relatively tight in terms of its texture, with good intensity, chalky tannins and sufficient fruit to stand up to the tannins. Fruit comes from a one-hectare site with a combination of sand, silt and clay." Wine Advocate

"This exceptional wine is deep and dusky, packed with mineral, floral and savory notes that will blossom with time. It shows iron, iodine and rose petals in the nose, then lithe tannins wrap up cranberries, bitter orange, and sour cherry. Best from 2028." James Suckling

"The 2020 Barolo Mosconi Vigna Ped is the most potent and tannic of these wines, but it retains the mid-weight signature of the year and the more nuanced style that is the norm these days at Conterno-Fantino. Dark, ample and broad on the palate, the 2020 offers up a beguiling mix of dark fruit, leather, tobacco, incense, licorice and dried herbs. The 2020 is a complex, dynamic wine that constantly changes in the glass. It should provide exceptional drinking for the next 15-20 years. This is classic Mosconi." Vinous

Classic Rosso from the Langhe, made from 50% Nebbiolo and 50% Barbera grapes from the Ginestra and Bussia districts. Inviting, exuberant Barbera-influenced bouquet of raspberry jam, dark fruit, leather, tar and tobacco. Deep, plump and very inviting, drinky and opulent on the palate. Very accessible even at a young age. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Langhe Rosso Monprà 2020 is a blend of Barbera from old vines (planted in 1971) and Nebbiolo from Bussia Sottana. Juicy and expressive, with plenty of Nebbiolo nerve, the Monprà delivers the goods. Juicy black cherry, gravel, spices, menthol, liquorice, dried flowers and a hint of French oak all come together in this wine. The 2020 is a particularly beautiful edition of the Monprà." Vinous

"The Langhe Rosso Monprà 2020 shows lovely richness and concentration in this hot vintage with dried cherry, blackberry, spice and liquorice (both red and black). The flavours are up front, but the wine shows a streamlined mouthfeel to close gently." Wine Advocate