A fantastic tasting where both wines showed samples of what awaits around the corner. Vintage 2019 is truly a grate vintage. What strikes me is that most of the wines from 2019 are now slowly starting to enter it's tunnel. Have drunk several different producers from 2019 where the wines were significantly more open 12 – 6 months ago, compared to today. Aldo Conterno belongs to one of them, in my opinion.
Both of these wines had about 2 hours in the decanter before the tasting.
It was clear quite early on that the Gattinara wine gave a clearer expression on the nose, a fantastic aromatic scent with clear cigar box, violets, roses and blood orange. In terms of taste, it was a little quieter than its cousin from Bussia, not so surprising considering it's high altitude in a slightly cooler climate. The Cicala is a magnificent wine, a bigger wine, clearer fruit palette. But everything is in place, it feels very homogeneous. What characterizes good nebbiolo, for me, is the basic structure, those tannins and acidity…crazy! You can almost chew the wine, despite its elegance. Both of these wines show the same qualities regarding structure. The finish on both of these wines is equally good, at least 30 – 40 seconds. After another two hours, both of these wines shift into another gear, never deviating from their optimal level, but they show that if you are patient, you will be rewarded.
Two very good Nebbiolo wines that will be fantastic in 5 – 10 years, no stress. If you like young wines, pull the cork today but give the wines about 4 hours in the carafe. I will let my remaining bottles rest for at least 5 years.
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I brought this to our 2019 Barolo tasting as a bit of curveball. Incredibly dark and brooding. There was a tremendous amount of black cherry fruit and a tannic structure to suggest decades of aging potential. I loved this, I think these are a very compelling addition to the cellar as a Nebbiolo change of pace.
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Cooler fruited, with fleeting floral and spice notes. This is more subtle but not necessarily less complex on the nose than the Baroli. A pretty haunting nose. Midweighted fresh and floral on the plate, it is relatively more soil than fruit driven. Elegance relatively lithe. Effortlessly pretty with a weightless intensity and clarity that drinks like mineral water. On the back end, there are fine ripe tannins. Terrific
Piemonte: Back to the truffling!; 11/24/2022-12/3/2022 (Wineries and various restaurants): Their flagship vineyard with a lovely view front the roof of the winery. This is 260-430 meters. 13 hectares. All facing S-SE which in Gattinara tends to lead to warmer climates (the SW face means more in shadow). Darker red fruits, can almost taste the volcanic rock in this. Very round and as it opens up it becomes more expressive but this is still quite young. Soft, very fine tannins. Drinks nicely. A wine to keep an eye out for.
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5/11/2024 - SirJ Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nervi Conterno Vigna Molsino Gattinara 2019
Aldo Conterno Cicala Barolo Bussia 2019
A fantastic tasting where both wines showed samples of what awaits around the corner. Vintage 2019 is truly a grate vintage. What strikes me is that most of the wines from 2019 are now slowly starting to enter it's tunnel. Have drunk several different producers from 2019 where the wines were significantly more open 12 – 6 months ago, compared to today. Aldo Conterno belongs to one of them, in my opinion.
Both of these wines had about 2 hours in the decanter before the tasting.
It was clear quite early on that the Gattinara wine gave a clearer expression on the nose, a fantastic aromatic scent with clear cigar box, violets, roses and blood orange. In terms of taste, it was a little quieter than its cousin from Bussia, not so surprising considering it's high altitude in a slightly cooler climate. The Cicala is a magnificent wine, a bigger wine, clearer fruit palette. But everything is in place, it feels very homogeneous. What characterizes good nebbiolo, for me, is the basic structure, those tannins and acidity…crazy! You can almost chew the wine, despite its elegance. Both of these wines show the same qualities regarding structure. The finish on both of these wines is equally good, at least 30 – 40 seconds. After another two hours, both of these wines shift into another gear, never deviating from their optimal level, but they show that if you are patient, you will be rewarded.
Two very good Nebbiolo wines that will be fantastic in 5 – 10 years, no stress. If you like young wines, pull the cork today but give the wines about 4 hours in the carafe. I will let my remaining bottles rest for at least 5 years.
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2/2/2024 - JWS84 Likes this wine:
I brought this to our 2019 Barolo tasting as a bit of curveball. Incredibly dark and brooding. There was a tremendous amount of black cherry fruit and a tannic structure to suggest decades of aging potential. I loved this, I think these are a very compelling addition to the cellar as a Nebbiolo change of pace.
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4/12/2023 - cct wrote: 96 Points
With Stephanie, Erin, and Roberto
Cooler fruited, with fleeting floral and spice notes. This is more subtle but not necessarily less complex on the nose than the Baroli. A pretty haunting nose. Midweighted fresh and floral on the plate, it is relatively more soil than fruit driven. Elegance relatively lithe. Effortlessly pretty with a weightless intensity and clarity that drinks like mineral water. On the back end, there are fine ripe tannins. Terrific
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12/2/2022 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Piemonte: Back to the truffling!; 11/24/2022-12/3/2022 (Wineries and various restaurants): Their flagship vineyard with a lovely view front the roof of the winery. This is 260-430 meters. 13 hectares. All facing S-SE which in Gattinara tends to lead to warmer climates (the SW face means more in shadow). Darker red fruits, can almost taste the volcanic rock in this. Very round and as it opens up it becomes more expressive but this is still quite young. Soft, very fine tannins. Drinks nicely. A wine to keep an eye out for.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment