2005 Barolo Vigna del Gris
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Tasting notes
The 2005 Barolo Vigna del Gris is just beginning to enter the plateau of its maturity. Smoke, tobacco, game and licorice take on dark shades of expression. The Gris is often a lighter, aromatic Barolo, but the 2005 has developed into more of a powerful, burly wine, likely the result of underripe tannin and too much new oak tannin. While tempting to think the 2005 might need more time, it is in my view a wine that will never come into balance. Still, it should hang on for another decade or so.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Good deep red. Coffee and red fruit aromas and flavors are lifted by a mineral component. Impressively sweet and thick for the vintage, with terrific palate presence. Finishes with substantial toothcoating tannins and lovely lingering sweetness.
The 2005 Barolo Vigna del Gris is especially beautiful in this vintage, particularly in its well-delineated bouquet, which is striking. Dried roses, plums, mint and spices are some of the nuances that emerge from this elegant and restrained Barolo. The wine will benefit from another year or two in bottle to soften the tannins. This small-scaled Vigna del Gris is a gem.
The 2005 Barolo Vigna del Gris is especially beautiful in this vintage, particularly in its well-delineated bouquet, which is striking. Dried roses, plums, mint and spices are some of the nuances that emerge from this elegant and restrained Barolo. The wine will benefit from another year or two in bottle to soften the tannins. This small-scaled Vigna del Gris is a gem. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. This is a gorgeous set of wines from Conterno-Fantino. My November visit coincided with the first of several heavy snowfalls the region experienced during the winter of 2008/2009. Navigating the steep hills of Monforte and environs was oddly calming as there was no one on the roads. As for the wines, they were magnificent. Conterno-Fantino fans have much to look forward to as the estate’s 2006, 2007 and 2008 Barolos all appeared very promising when I tasted them from barrel. In the meantime, these fine 2005s are among the most gorgeous and well-balanced wines I encountered. Not much has changed here in terms of vinification. The 2005s were vinified in rotary fermenters and aged in 100% new French oak barrels from coopers Taransaud, Boutes and Quintessence. Be that as it may, the wines seem increasingly elegant and refined. Conterno-Fantino remains one of my favorite Piedmont producers and is to be commended for the consistently high quality it delivers across its entire range. Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900