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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 96.9 pts. and median of 97 pts. in 18 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Robmcl920 on 2/2/2024 & rated 98 points: Vinous Monfortino Dinner with Roberto Conterno; 2/1/2024-2/2/2024 (Legacy Records, NYC): I found the '14 to be quite closed off, similar to when it was released in 2020, but the potential is obvious. With some air, the aromatics showed impossibly sweet red berry fruit, fresh red florals, and blood orange. On the palate, the wine is medium to full in body but so silky, with the best tannin quality of any of the wines in the lineup, virtually imperceptible. The sweetness and purity of the fruit is remarkable. This is one I am rating more on potential than today's enjoyment, but I think the components are clear. (1238 views) | | | Tasted by Papies on 10/20/2023 & rated 95 points: Annual Pilgrimage to Piedmont - 2023 Edition; 10/20/2023-10/22/2023 (Piedmont, Italy): Decanted for a good 30 minutes and served blind.
The wine has a magnificent nose and at this stage the nose is far superior to the palate as one might expect. Bright, expressive, soft elegant dark fruit, lightest dark feel almost a smoky/tar touch that just adds a solid dimension. The wine it self is still young but very much welcoming and the sort of vintage 2014 is delivers a more early approachable wine than the buttoned down bigger siblings of it. Beautiful 95 now and with a lot of more potential to follow.
On account of nose beating palate and the propensity of our friend who chose this for Monfortino we went with young Monfortino off vintage, like 2008 or 2012 ( albeit later we found out there was none made in 2012). (1922 views) | | | Tasted by Decarlor on 1/5/2022 & rated 100 points: The best 2014 Barolo. Great job in a very uneven year. (5918 views) | | | Tasted by NoTrollingerPlease on 7/30/2021 & rated 95 points: Accomasso Tasting plus some great Barolo Pirates (Freiheit Vinothek, Ulm, Germany): *** all wines tasted blind ***
Glass: Zwiesel 1872 Moment Pinot
Clean, deep ruby color. Clean, classic Barolo nose, floral, herbaceous, very deep and still closed and shut.
Wow, beautiful velvet texture and structure! Juicy, dense and deep, fine red fruit mixed with fresh herbs. Here it is all about balance and elegance. Very long and fine finish. Needs years to unfold. Thank you, Marcel, for this great Pirate! 94-95++ (6441 views) | | | Tasted by EDO89 on 5/24/2021 & rated 96 points: Served blind in a Barolo flight as the last wine. Appearance was stunning, a dark ruby color with no garnet tinges, almost as indicating the potential longevity of the wine. Brilliant and clear, just beautiful lively color. Nose was initially shut after opening. With time the bouquet started to emerge with classic Nebbiolo notes: dried flowers, roses and violets, underbrush, truffle, pipe tobacco, goudron, and pure red and black fruit, macerated dark cherries, black raspberries and amarena cherries. A wide spectrum that kept changing constantly in the glass. Just mind blowing.
The palate was typical Serralunga: powerful, austere and structured. Despite its broad shoulders, the wine retained a certain elegance and finesse accentuated by an incredible freshness. Flavours of blood orange and dark spices carried the sip towards infinity.
Super balanced, harmonious wine. Already open for business given the difficult vintage. Probably more approachable than the 13 or 10. Still it has the structure and the acidity to evolve for decades, as every other vintage of this wine. Monumental, legendary. The pinnacle of Barolo. (5245 views) | | | Tasted by Bobby Burgundy on 5/9/2021 & rated 97 points: Needs a lot more time as we know but going to be super wine in 20 years (5668 views) | | | Tasted by InTheMunee on 2/27/2021 & rated 98 points: Just a quick note to help others. This is a great wine. Will be even better in years, but can be approached now. I noted that the aromatics really started to hit stride after 3.5 hours sitting in a decanter. Please plan on that if you will open one soon. (5704 views) | | | Tasted by CamWheeler on 1/8/2021 & rated 98 points: SLDS New Year (Quay, Sydney): Fresh and very lifted - red fruit, cherry, licorice, earth and pepper with some orange peel as well. Punchy on the nose and palate, excellent structure to go along with the vibrant, pure fruit. Superstar wine at any stage of its life. (3159 views) | | | Tasted by Andre Brattland on 11/5/2020 & rated 97 points: Ultimately charming aromas with fabulous freshness and with this beautiful perfumed overtones that make you smile all the way through. Great fruit of youthful cherries, wild strawberries, raspberries, roses, lightly dried mushrooms, wet leather belt, light tar and deeper salts.
Full-bodied and extremely delicate wine that may come a little thin in, but the wine gears up and turns into full growth with fabulous mouthfeel of beautiful cherry fruit, wild strawberries, dense mineral touch and gentle truffles on a long and complex finish with tannins that bite loving along with ultimate acidity. Superb wine. (4294 views) | | | Tasted by Robmcl920 on 10/31/2020 & rated 98 points: The nose was perfumed and very deep and cool in tone, with perfectly sweet red cherry fruit and a hint of high-pitched blood orange fruit, fresh roses, cool herbs such as sage and mint, and savory elements of cured meats and a hint of smoke. The aromatics showed off both the perfectly sweet, candy-like red fruit and roses as well as a host of cool, herbal and savory elements. On the palate, the wine immediately impresses for its combination of textural power and elegance. There's no sense of a beginning or end to the palate, and there is no perception at all of tannin. At this stage, the palate is less immediately expressive than the nose, but the same theme is at play, with perfectly sweet red fruit (sort of along the same lines as I found the '02 earlier this year) along with a number of savory elements that create a very intriguing flavor profile. But it's really all about the textural elements, the richness and yet the elegance, and the high energy of the wine driven by the high acidity level. The '14 is not as powerful as the '10, but it's a touch more finessed at this early age.
Unsurprisingly, the '14 Monfortino is a stunning wine, with expressive, sweet and savory aromatics, and incredible textural finesse. For me, at this stage I think the 2010 is a slightly better wine for my palate, showing a bit more power and structure, although I know Roberto has said he thinks the '14 will be the best of the recent vintages. Either way, it'll be fun to watch these wines over time.
I found tasting the '14 Monfortino recently after the '16 Francia also gives some insight into (maybe) why there isn't a Monfortino in '16. While the '16 Francia is a very good wine, it lacks the textural elegance of the recent vintages of Monfortino, coming across as a bit more of an old school Barolo full of power and dark fruit but showing a lot of tannin that will take a while to integrate. (3681 views) | | | Tasted by kenv on 1/31/2020 & rated 96 points: Gala Dinner at La Festa del Barolo 2020 (The Pool Restaurant, NYC): [Magnum brought by Roberto Conterno.] Dark sweet black fruit and spice nose. Rich and tight, but great potential. 96-? (1730 views) | | | Tasted by hajoha on 4/23/2019 & rated 97 points: Fatprøve.
Monfortino 2014.
Fy faen!
Tårene presser seg på omtrent før jeg får stukket nesa ned i glasset.
Dette er så utrolig vakkert.
Renere enn dette blir det ikke.
En oppvisning i kunsten av å kombinere kraft og eleganse.
Saftig frukt med en vektløs intensitet man finner i de beste Burgundere.
Perfekt friskhet.
Helt sømløs kurve med de fineste tanniner.
Laserpresisjon.
Sitter en liten evighet.
Min første.
97p (5003 views) | | | Tasted by HowardNZ on 10/8/2018: 2018 Visit to Giacomo Conterno with Roberto Conterno (Monforte d'Alba): Roberto introduced the Monfortino by saying that "colder conditions are always in favour of the Barolo. We picked late between 25-27 October but by then had had two months of beautiful weather". Roberto pointed out his three Botti of his 2014 Riserva. A stunning bouquet, complex and layered, showing cassis, cherries, gentle spices, floral notes, earth, smokey meats and dry brushwood. Similarly multi-layered and detailed on palate with many levels of fruit, floral, spice and savoury nuances. Seamless and precise with lovely acidity. Not massive scale and structure but beautifully balanced and proportioned. Very long, I was still tasting the wine as I walked out of the winery. As good as any wine I tasted on the trip. A great wine in the making. (5533 views) | | | Tasted by cct on 5/7/2018 & rated 98 points: With Roberto and Stephanie
From barrel
Hugely perfumed. A profound nose. Lung filling. Deep cherry, roses, balsam on the nose. Silence ensued on smelling this wine, and in our group of talkers, that is a rare moment. This is archetypal Barolo. Structured, yet detailed, with terrific acidic balance, sap, power and precision. Seamless. Incredibly long, with from nebbiolo tannins, but with more finesse than the '13s tannins. Expansive, yet not heavy. A regal, profound wine. (5354 views) | | | Tasted by Robmcl920 on 11/21/2017: Tasted from barrel alongside the 13. To me it is sort of the opposite of the 13 at this stage - the nose is more closed on the 14 but the 14 is so shockingly easy to drink. Roberto says this is technically more tannic but it doesnt drink like it. Anyway, it is wonderful. (4643 views) | | | Tasted by JOsgood on 11/13/2017 & rated 98 points: Tasted at the Cantina with Roberto Conterno. Sample from the Botti. Superb juice. Big cherry fruits with lip smacking acidity. The purity and minerality here are just fantastic. A blockbuster in the making. (4088 views) |
| By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Conterno Monfortino Magnum Vertical: 1970-2014 (Feb 2021) (2/1/2021)
(Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino (Magnum) Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, 2016 Barolo, Part 2 & Late Releases (Oct 2020) (10/1/2020)
(Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Walter Speller
JancisRobinson.com (11/14/2019)
(Giacomo Conterno, Monfortino Riserva Barolo Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, 2015 Barolo – The Late Releases (Nov 2019) (11/1/2019)
(Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, 2014 Barolo: Late Releases (Nov 2018) (11/1/2018)
(Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, 2014 Barolo: Surprise, Surprise… (Feb 2018) (2/18/2018)
(Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Walter Speller
JancisRobinson.com (11/29/2017)
(Giacomo Conterno, Monfortino Riserva Barolo Red) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and JancisRobinson.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Giacomo Conterno Producer website
Ken Vastola's fabulous guide to G. Conterno labels
Praelum: “Arguably the King of Barolo. No wine journey is complete without the tasting of one of the great Conternos. ‘Only premium quality can bring prestige to the Langhe.’ Giovanni Conterno taught his two sons Giacomo and Roberto after World War I to ferment and age wines in Bottis with prolonged maceration and ageing. The brothers split in 1969 and Giacomo started investing in his own vineyards since 1974. The wines of Cascina Francia, Monfortino and recently, Ceretta from Serralunga d’Alba are amongst the finest expressions of Nebbiolo that the wine world has ever seen. 4-6 years ageing usually.”NebbioloNebbiolo is a red grape indigenous to the Piedmont region of Italy in the Northwest. The grape can also be found in other parts of the world, though they are not as respected.
Nebbiolo is often considered the "king of red wines," as it is the grape of the famed wines of Barolo DOCG, Barbaresco DOCG, and Roero DOCG. It is known for high tannins and acidity, but with a distinct finesse. When grown on clay, Nebbiolo can be very powerful, tannic, and require long aging periods to reach its full potential. When grown on sand, the grape exhibits a more approachable body with more elegant fruit and less tannins, but still has high aging potential.
"Nebbiolo" is named for the Italian word, "nebbia", which means "fog", in Italian and rightfully so since there is generally a lot of fog in the foothills of Piedmont during harvest.
Nebbiolo is a late-ripening variety that does best in a continental climate that boasts moderate summers and long autumns. In Piedmont, Nebbiolo is normally harvested in October.
More links:
Varietal character (Appellation America) | Nebbiolo on CellarTrackerRiserva MonfortinoPlease read this very important note from Ken Vastola. In each vintage, all Monfortino is from the same lot. Even if some bottles say "Riserva" while others say "Riserva Speciale" or "Stravecchio", these are all from the same cask and bottling. There was only one bottling of Monfortino in each vintage.Italy Italian Wines (ItalianMade.com, The Italian Trade Commission) | Italian Wine Guide on the WineDoctorPiedmont Vignaioli Piemontesi (Italian only)
On weinlagen-infoLanghe Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Roero | Union of Producers of Albese Wines (Albeisa)BaroloRegional History:
The wines of Piedmont are noted as far back as Pliny's Natural History. Due to geographic and political isolation, Piedmont was without a natural port for most of its history, which made exportation treacherous and expensive. This left the Piedmontese with little incentive to expand production. Sixteenth-century records show a mere 14% of the Bassa Langa under vine -- most of that low-lying and farmed polyculturally. In the nineteenth century the Marchesa Falletti, a frenchwoman by birth, brought eonologist Louis Oudart from Champagne to create the first dry wines in Piemonte. Along with work in experimental vineyards at Castello Grinzane conducted by Camilo Cavour -- later Conte di Cavour, leader of the Risorgimento and first Prime Minister of Italy -- this was the birth of modern wine in the Piedmont. At the heart of the region and her reputation are Alba and the Langhe Hills. This series of weathered outcroppings south of the Tanaro River is of maritime origin and composed mainly of limestone, sand and clay, known as terra bianca. In these soils -located mainly around the towns of Barolo and Barbaresco -- the ancient allobrogica, now Nebbiolo, achieves its renowned fineness and power.
map of Barolo DOCG
An interesting thread on Traditional vs. Modern Barolo producers:
https://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=106291 |
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