Italy

Conterno Fantino

Monforte d'Alba

Winemakers: Guido & Fabio Fantino

Viticulture: Organic

Founded in 1982, Conterno Fantino testifies to the talent and vision of viticulturist Claudio Conterno and his partner, oenologist Guido Fantino. These great wines start in exceptional vineyard sites at Monforte and are lovingly nurtured in the state-of-the-art winery at Bricco Bastia. This location is scenically set, dominating the most ancient section of Monforte and overlooked by the majestic sweep of the Alps.

Dolcetto 'Bricco Bastia' is from the vineyard adjacent to the winery and is packed with ripe fruit and spice. Barbera 'Vignota' is from a roll call of Monforte's cru vineyards: Ginestra, Bussia Sottana, Mosconi, Pajana and Ornati. The wine is intensely perfumed with lush red cherry fruit and a rich, ripe palate balanced by fresh acidity and a beautiful finish. Guido compares the 2007 to the outstanding 1990, a vintage that was drinking exceptionally well when we tried it last year.

The three Monforte Barolos are made in the same way: short maceration on skins, vinified in rotary fermenters and aged two years in 100% new French oak barrels from coopers Taransaud, Boutes and Quintessence, followed by 12 months in the bottle. 'Sori Ginestra' is southerly exposed at 300m on marly, calcareous terrain, conducive to remarkable structure and cellar life. 'Vigna del Gris', also from Ginestra at 300m, is on a sandier portion that faces south-east and favours delicacy and elegance. 'Mosconi' retains part of its original plantings from 1950 and is opposite Ginestra, at a slightly higher altitude of 400m and southerly exposed. The vineyard is high in manganese and produces a Barolo with solid tannins that need time to evolve.

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Wines
Dolcetto d'Alba DOC 'Bricco Bastia'
Barbera d'Alba DOC 'Vignota'
Nebbiolo d'Alba DOC 'Ginestrino'
Barolo DOCG Sori Ginestra
Barolo DOCG Vigna del Gris
Barolo DOCG Mosconi