Poderi Aldo Conterno - Langhe Nebbiolo 'Il Favot' 2021

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.

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 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.

The grapes used to make “Il Favot” come from vineyards which have undergone periodic plantations, and so have a maximum age of 15 years. The skin contact is limited to 6-8 days as to extract few tannins and more color from the skins themselves, with the result of getting a well-colored wine with a remarkable softness.

After spending a few months in stainless steel vats and being transferred several times, the wine is then put in oak casks, where it remains for a few months before being bottled.

"Complex nose of watermelon, cocoa, strawberry, peony and kiwi peel, the palate zesty with rustic yet malleable tannins. A magnetic sip. Grapes from young vineyards in Barolo, the must fermented in stainless steel with three to four days of post-fermentation maceration. After malolactic fermentation in wood, the wine matures for 12 months in second-fill barriques previously used for the Bussiador Chardonnay." - 94 points, Decanter

Producer: Poderi Aldo Conterno

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Varietal: Nebbiolo

Appellation: Langhe DOC

Vintage: 2021

Size: 750ml