External search
Google (images)
Wine Advocate
Wine Spectator
Burghound
Wine-Searcher
Vintages
2020
2019
2015
2014
2013
2010
2009
2008
2006
2005
2004
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1993
Show more
From this producer
Show all wines
All tasting notes
|
| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 95.1 pts. and median of 96 pts. in 36 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Robmcl920 on 2/2/2024 & rated 94 points: Vinous Monfortino Dinner with Roberto Conterno; 2/1/2024-2/2/2024 (Legacy Records, NYC): The '82 Monfortino was very pretty, although it seemed (like the bottle of '85) to be a wine that maybe would have been even better 5-10 years ago. It leaned into the savory side, with iron, savory spices, dried red fruit, raw meat, and dried red floral tones. On the palate, I found very acidic red fruit, leather, spices, and raw meats. It remains pretty tannic relative to the amount of fruit that remains. As I find sometimes with old Nebbiolo that are fading, I get a sense that there is too much acidity relative to the amount of fruit left for the wine to be perfectly balanced. (530 views) | | | Tasted by fcxj on 1/12/2023 & rated 90 points: No faults but little excitement either in aromatics or palate. My interest in Monfortino continues to decline. (1791 views) | | | Tasted by burgcamel on 12/9/2021 & rated 97 points: This was a great bottle! I did not keep notes but this was one of the best Monfortino's I've tasted. After opening a bottle of the 85 that was corked, I was relieved to open an excellent one. I have had several bottles of different vintages of Monfortino's that were bad. (2755 views) | | | Tasted by Nanda on 11/7/2020: Opened several hours before dinner. This is everything that you'd expect in a mature Monfortino. Towering nose of rich plum and black cherry fruit that is peppered with licorice, florals and asphalt notes. The palate is decadent and richly fruited with still chewy, fine structure throughout. Long, long finish. (3758 views) | | | Tasted by englishman's claret on 10/28/2019 & rated 93 points: I didn't find the 82 and 85 particularly compelling in this line-up. More black cherry and less on the red fruited spectrum than most of the Monfortino line. The 82 showed loam and mud notes with pretty brisk acidity. (4928 views) | | | Tasted by cct on 2/1/2019 & rated 97 points: 1982 piedmont Retrospective (Fausto, Brooklyn): 1982's at Fausto
A deeper and more complicated nose and palate here. Deeper cherry fruit, with more sap and density. In spite of its impressive scale, it has great balance and a sense of lift. Forceful and powerful, yet poised and cohesive. Sappy and dense, yet with an ease to carrying its weight. An impressive wine that demands you attention. Toward the back end, black olives add to the tar and dark deep fruits. The most youthful wine of the night. Very impressive, terrific in fact, but less lovable than the Giacosa wines. (4906 views) | | | Tasted by The Vines That Bind on 6/9/2018 & rated 90 points: World's Greatest, Hong Kong - Night III (8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Macau): Corked or just Italian? Fennel and oregano and a whole array of spice. I actually kind of like this nose. Hard to say. In the context of the finial night of the greatest wines of all time weekend I don't really understand. (5085 views) | | | Tasted by dcwino on 7/30/2017 & rated 99 points: Kelly’s 61st - Champ, Monfortino, Burgundy and a ringer ('14 Summum) (The Grill Room at the Rosewood DC): Initially, it is all about iron and mineral. Perfectly mature, unbelievably complex nose displaying subtle yet decadent red fruits, dry cherry, cherry liqueur, medium caramel, only a hint of balsamico, leather, chestnut, dark spices, fresh porcini, tar and earth. Fully integrated perfectly harmonious palate, beautifully layered dry red fruit, strong iron, bright acidity, a hint of tannins and a long iron driven finish. The nose constantly evolves from rose to iron to blood. All the elements are in perfect balance. At the age of 35, it remains extremely youthful and perhaps will require another ten years to reach the peak. However it is already a textbook Monfortino that flirts with perfection. (5401 views) | | | Tasted by Pacherant on 8/25/2016 flawed bottle: Corked (5439 views) | | | Tasted by dcwino on 8/12/2016 & rated 98 points: Mostly Bordeaux dinner with Bob (Magdalena restaurant at the Ivy Hotel, Baltimore): Incredibly powerful and youthful nose displaying so much of Monfortino iron and mineral, also vibrant and energetic yet decadent and deeply toned red fruit, dry cherry, cherry liqueur, charred rare steak, roasted chestnut, caramel, black truffle, rose, raw porcini, tar and strong earthy note. Exceptional concentration, intense and youthful mineral and dry cherry driven palate impression, bright acidity, still noticeable slightly dry tannins and never ending finish. This is a powerful Monfortino with a formidable structure. Incredibly complex and profound wine. Perhaps another ten years to reach the peak. (5664 views) | | | Tasted by JulianSkeels on 5/27/2016 & rated 93 points: (Monfortino mag vertical 1970-2008)
I was disappointed by this, given the reputation. A touch murky, which isn't unusual, but it lacked the vibrancy of the lovely 1970 (and as much sweetness on the palate). A shade out of balance almost. A big wine, but frankly seemed over-rated to me in comparison to 18 other vintages tasted alongside. Balance here isn't as good (acidity too prominent, fruit too shy) although lovely hazelnut, forest floor and rosemary notes. Seemed almost like a cross between 1970 and 1993, but I'd much rather have another glass of the former with my next dinner at this point. The sort of Monfortino vintage that may really appeal to old-Burgundy fans. 92-93pts. (4821 views) | | | Tasted by RayOB on 5/26/2016 flawed bottle: Giacomo Conterno Montfortino, Barolo Reserva Magnum Dinner (67 Pall Mall): Iodine and sulphur on the nose and an acidic backburn on the palate. I am hoping that this was a flawed bottle. NO (5073 views) | | | Tasted by tinybubbles on 4/21/2016 & rated 95 points: Displaying classic barolo notes, this is tight and tannic currently. Requires 5-10 more years before it should really be approached with regularity. 95+ (2730 views) | | | Tasted by dcwino on 7/16/2015 & rated 98 points: Monumental Barolo dinner - Monfortino, Giacosa, Taurasi and La Romanee (Fleet Street Kitchen - Baltimore, MD): How lucky can I be to say that the 82 is the biggest of the flight “AS EXPECTED”. Expressive decadent nose of intensely sweet and slightly dry red and black fruits, red and black cherries, cherry liqueur, fruit cake, strong presence of balsamico, licorice, dark flowers, cedar, mineral via a hint or iron, grilled rare steak, dark flowers and tar. Incredible concentration, intense decadent dark fruit driven palate impression, unctuous, strong presence of acidity and nicely integrated tannins. The finish is extremely long and ends with very sweet and decadent note. I actually prefer the decadence and power of the 82 to the youthful and precise 78 and the 85 pure and red fruit driven but they are all incredible and I can’t really say one is better, just depend on your mood. A long life ahead. (4450 views) | | | Tasted by Tim Heaton on 3/3/2015: Maybe once or twice a year, if I'm lucky, I'm at a loss for words for a wine. I feel lucky to have had one of those moments so early in the year. Screams place and time. Rustic, and wild, but with some unseen force that adds a thick veneer of elegance to all of it. Meditative. A meal, a movie and an experience all in one. A never ending finish. A true wow wine, with a great future; it's just getting started, so HOLD. recommended
Opened early Monday morning, removed sediment and returned to bottle for service on Tuesday night; served non-blind.
https://italianwine.blog/ (4517 views) | | | Tasted by Eric Guido on 2/8/2015 & rated 95 points: The nose continued to open in the glass and would have improved for hours if given the chance. It showed a dark persona yet somehow reached from the glass with notes of eucalyptus and herbal mint. Dried cherry with an animal, feral musk, minerals and dark soil tones rounded out the bouquet. On the palate, it was remarkably youthful and powerful with generous weight contrasted by lingering structural components, as notes of dried berry, plum, leather, earth and savory herbs flowed across the senses. It finished softer than expected with a steady fade of dried berry and leather from the palate. (3947 views) | | | Tasted by galenico on 10/16/2014: MONFORTINO VERTICALE (ENOTECA ROSSORUBINO TORINO): Bottiglia non perfetta, molto sedimento e naso non pulitissimo.
All' apertura sembrava in condizioni ottime, poi dopo qualche ora di lenta ossigenazione in bottiglia ha assunto aromi molto terziarizzati, assestati su note dolciastre di caffè e funghi porcini, un pò rustici e poco cristallini.
Poi esce un tono balsamico quasi pungente.
In bocca il tannino è molto morbido, ma l' acidità è stridente, nervosa e copre la dolcezza del frutto.
Il meno in forma della verticale (4216 views) | | | Tasted by burgcamel on 9/29/2014 flawed bottle: Corked - bummer! (3474 views) | | | Tasted by Raycheng77 on 7/4/2014 & rated 97 points: 50+5+9+14+10+9
The wine is opened at 1430 and double decant.
Nose with mineral, red fruit, red currant, cherry, the tannin is very smooth with good acidity and alcohol, which make the wine balance in all aspect. the palate is as same as the nose with different layers, and the finish is really long (>2 mins) (2792 views) | | | Tasted by JonnyG on 5/12/2014 & rated 96 points: Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino 1970-2006 (Magnum) (maze by Gordon Ramsey, London): A deep, endless bouquet of plum and graphite. Mouthpuckering power, clean and generous, with a very long finish. Cocoa, leather, spice, even truffles. The most linear of the wines we tasted tonight. Still quite primary but showed really well, softening in the glass throughout the course of the evening. (4418 views) | | | Tasted by dcwino on 6/14/2013 & rated 96 points: A memorable dinner wtih Barolis and Burgundy (Fleet Street Kitchen - Baltimore, MD): Perhaps the biggest of the flight, balsamico, fruit cake, almond paste, dry cherry, dry fruits, mint, iron, charred steak and licorice. Excellent concentration, beautiful silky texture, strong presence of acidity and tannins. This is a big scale and masculine style of Monfortino. I slightly preferred the 85 with brighter red fruits and lighter impression. (5358 views) | | | Tasted by WildeMeeuw on 1/11/2013 & rated 93 points: Kleur: Helder roodbruin Aroma / bouquet: Wat "gesloten", kersen, rozenbottel, zoete tomaat. Smaak / Afdronk: Volle, krachtige aanzet, stevige tannines, goede vulling, lange afdronk met pepertjes en bitter in de finale. Algemeen / potentieel: Wat mij betreft: op dit moment: tè jong. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 11 + Smaak / Afdronk: 18 + Algemeen / potentieel: 9 = 93/100
Color: Clear reddish brown Aroma / Bouquet: A bit "closed", cherry, rosehip, sweet tomato. Taste / Finish: Full, strong start, firm tannins, good filling, long finish with peppers and bitter in the aftertaste. General / potential: As for me, at this moment: too young. 50 + Colour: 5 + Aroma / Bouquet: 11 + Taste / Finish: 18 + General / potential: 9 = 93/100 (3851 views) | | | Tasted by BradKNYC on 12/6/2011: TN: End of year dinner; "Bring something good." (Beacon Restaurant): At this same end of year dinner two years ago Greg also brought this bottle, but, alas, that bottle was corked. Thankfully, this one wasn't. In fact, it would turn out to be my wine of the year. This is what Barolo strives to be. It's a powerhouse of a wine that's endlessly complex and layered, dynamic and full throttle, yet somehow manages to stay suave and show elegance. Double decanted at 3:00 pm and consumed starting around 8:30-9:00 pm, the wine showed a mostly black profile with its fruit, olive, tar and anise character, but some red fruit joined in once in the glass a bit. Rich and full, but silky with tannins lurking in the background until they started to become a bit bossy later in the evening. Greg calls it a sexy wine if you like women wearing black leather who can throw you around the room. Outstanding. Solid A+. (5518 views) | | | Tasted by Rupert on 9/21/2011: Mixed Barolo and Barbaresco 1958-1990 (River Café, Hammersmith, London): Another one with a pongy oxidative note, massive, huge, but ugly - it surely can't be meant to be like this... (5383 views) | | | Tasted by reichken on 9/21/2011 & rated 93 points: River Cafe- a bit oxidative and tertiary on the nose, dried cherry fruits with a bit of coffee. This had been opened for 4-5 hours before, was quite big and long. I enjoyed it quite a bit but I think mixed reactions around the table (4767 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| 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, Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino 1970-2006 [Magnum] (May 2014)
(Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Vinous Table: Hurricane Sandy Charity Dinner at The Modern (Jan 2014)
(Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, 9th Annual Wine Dinner and Auction to Benefit The Mount Sinai Hospital (Feb 2012)
(Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, Friends and Family (3/22/2011)
(Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, 9th Annual Wine Dinner and Auction to Benefit The Mount Sinai Hospital (Feb 2012)
(Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Sep/Oct 2008, Issue #17, Cantine Giacomo Conterno: Piemonte Pillar of Excellence and Tradition
(Barolo “Monfortino” Riserva Speciale - Giacomo Conterno) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, First Annual Nebbiolo and White Truffle Charity Dinner (Nov 2007)
(Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, A Memorable Evening of Barolo and Barbaresco: 1978 – 1990 (May 2006)
(Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, 21 Vintages of Monfortino with Roberto Conterno and the 12 Angry Men (5/16/2005)
(Robert Conterno Barolo Monfortino) Login and sign up and see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Bonus Articles, Barolo “Monfortino”- Giacomo Conterno (April 2004)
(Barolo “Monfortino” Riserva Speciale - Giacomo Conterno) Login and sign up and see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Bonus Articles, 1982 Barolo and Barbaresco (December 2003)
(Barolo “Monfortino” Riserva Speciale- Giacomo Conterno) Login and sign up and see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Bonus Articles, Piemonte (tasted 2002-03)
(Barolo “Monfortino” Riserva Speciale- Giacomo Conterno) Login and sign up and see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and Vintage Tastings and View From the Cellar. (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 |
|
