Aldo & Giacomo Conterno Dinner

Scopri
Tasted Thursday, October 18, 2012 by bendid with 672 views

Introduction

The second in these series of Italian wine dinners put on by Anthony D'Anna from Boccaccio Cellars/Mondo Imports. This time around we tasted through Barbera and Barolo wines of Poderi Aldo Conterno and Giacomo Conterno. How different were the paths travelled by these brothers, are they both still making top wines?

Only two dud bottles tonight, slight upgrade from the three last time. No detailed notes taken, more general impressions.

Flight 1 - Stuzzichino (1 Note)

Parmesan cheese doughnuts

  • NV Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige Brut 88 Points

    Italy, Lombardia, Franciacorta DOCG

    A great sparkling starter to get us into the swing of things. Rich yellow gold colour, this is a fuller style of sparkling but not heavy or overdone. Stone fruit and pear, hints of lemon, and good creamy mouth feel.

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Flight 2 - Antipasto (3 Notes)

Roasted deboned quail with zucchini in mint

  • 2009 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barbera d'Alba Conca Tre Pile 90 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba

    Serious Barbera. This is quite intense at the moment, showing some oak on the nose, but the fruit quality here is superb. Dark, serious, and in need of a sleep for a few years. Great wine in time though.

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  • 2009 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d'Alba Cascina Francia 93 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba

    Gorgeous, and much more approachable than the Aldo Conterno along side. Lovely juicy fruit matched with a beautiful savoury, spice and mineral streak. Super fine tannins, silky, and brilliant drinking now. Will hold for many years too. My favourite of the Barbera wines tonight.

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  • 2010 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d'Alba Cascina Francia 91 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba

    Just released and air freighted over for this tasting, and it's youth was hard to miss. Tannins are quite prominent compared to its sibling, but again some beautiful ripe fruit and depth. Generally well balanced, it's a little hard to assess at this early stage, but I'd imagine it will flourish in time.

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Flight 3 - Primo (2 Notes)

Pasta with eggplant, tomato, fresh basil and house salted ricotta

  • 1997 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Riserva Granbussia 93 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Vibrant nose of anise, cherry and tar, quite lush and open. This is definitely in its window and drinking really well. Love the flavour profile, and there are no signs of fruit fading. I'd be drinking now, such a joy.

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  • 1997 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia 93 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    The more youthful of this pair of 1997's, and a lovely wine too. Solid structure with tannin and acid propping up the savoury fruit. This is still a few years from peaking.

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Flight 4 - Secondo (3 Notes)

Nebbiolo braised beef cheek with potato and parsley puree

  • 1998 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia 94 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Initially a little stinky, and looked a little advanced. But given some air it's clear this wine is set for a glorious future. Super length, gorgeous tannins, tar and spice, just gets better through the night. A powerhouse. No issue opening now, but don't be afraid to give it some air. One of the stars on the night.

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  • 1999 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia Flawed

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    First bottle was a little off, oxidized perhaps. Mistakenly tipped that glass before the replacement was poured, the second bottle was much worse.

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  • 2005 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia 91 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    This was a replacement for the flawed 1999(s). Looked very similar to the 1998, both in colour and size. Young, but lithe, and with super balance. In no way ready yet, and perhaps not a blockbuster, but will be a solid wine in time.

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Flight 5 - Formaggi (2 Notes)

A selection of Italian cheese with Mallee honey from Kangaroo Island, fruit compote, potato bread and Happy fruit

  • 2000 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello 90 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    A solid, if not very exciting wine tonight. Bright red fruit, some classic tar and earth, but not much else. Tannins a little gravelly. Good length, and may well come together in a few years.

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  • 2000 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala 95 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Served from magnum. Absolutely gorgeous wine, fantastic expression of Nebbiolo. Pristine dark cherry, herbs and spices, mint, classic tar and roses. Length to burn, so well balanced. A classy wine.

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Flight 6 - Mystery Wine (1 Note)

  • 1999 Conterno Fantino Barolo Sorì Ginestra 94 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Served double blind. That this turned out to be a Barolo from Monforte wasn't a surprise, that is was so damn good perhaps was. Threatened to be wine of the night, and with good reason. Bright ruby with lovely aromatics, appearing quite youthful. Love the mouth feel, silky, and the way it fills out on the palate. Many years left on this wine, a very pleasant surprise.

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