1955 | Poderi Aldo Conterno | Barolo Riserva Speciale

Detailed Description

It shows a dark but busy quality of fruit that speaks more to the power of this hot vintage than it does the nuanced side of Nebbiolo.

Producer Information

Poderi Aldo Conterno is a well-regarded and much soughter-after Piedmont producer known for its wines from the best parcels of the Bussia vineyard in Monforte d’Alba. Aldo Conterno, who died in 2012, was regarded by many as the greatest of all Barolo winemakers. The vineyard holdings total around 25 hectares (62 acres) and are mostly situated on south- and southwest-facing slopes with chalky-clay soils. Cru Barolos are made from the Romirasco, Cicala and Colonello plots within the Bussia vineyard, while the Granbussia Riserva is sourced from the oldest vines in all three plots and only made in the very best vintages. The Bussia cuvée is the junior Barolo made from younger plots (15 years and above), while Il Favot is made from the youngest vines in the estate and is classified as a Langhe Nebbiolo. Conca Tre Pile is a Barbera d’Alba from the Bussia plot of the same name, and a Langhe red is also produced from a blend of Freisa, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The range is completed by the barrique-fermented Bussiador Chardonnay. Total production is approximately 80,000 bottles annually. Aldo Conterno has been labelled a Barolo modernist, and this was often stated in comparison with his brother Giovanni of the staunchly old-school Giacomo Conterno estate. Winemaking combines the modern and traditional with the Barolo wines aged at length in large Slavonian oak casks and French barriques are also used in the range. The Bussia is aged for 26 months, the Cru wines receive 28-30 months in cask, while the Granbussia receives 32 months and is only released from the cellars eight years after the vintage. Il Favot and the other reds, in contrast, are aged in a combination of stainless steel and new barriques. The business was founded in 1969 when Aldo bought the Favot estate with its Bussia holdings. For the previous eight years, he had managed Giacomo Conterno with his brother, but left to make wines in a less resolutely traditionalist environment. Aldo Conterno died in 2012 and the estate is now run by his three sons: Franco, Stefano and Giacomo.