2005 Barolo Sori Ginestra
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Tasting notes
Another big wine, the 2005 Barolo Sorì Ginestra is endowed with a huge center of fruit and equally imposing, massive tannins. The 100% new oak has pretty much gobbled up the fruit. This is another wine that is not likely to improve. The tannins will only become more ferocious as the fruit dries out.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Bright ruby-red. Reticent but deep aromas of raspberry and truffle. Sweet, ripe and superrich, with an uncommonly lush and pliant mid-palate texture for the year. A wonderfully silky 2005 with terrific fruit, fine-grained tannins and superb length. Lacks only the complexity of Fantino's best vintages of this consistently outstanding wine.
Conterno Fantino's 2005 Sorì Ginestra demonstrates why Ginestra is justly regarded as one of Piedmont's top vineyards. The wine is simply beautiful in the way the bouquet melds seamlessly into the fruit, all of which comes together on the building finish, where the typical balsamic and mentholated notes that are often found in this wine make an appearance. The 2005 is a fresh, vibrant Sorì Ginestra with notable depth, and while some of the muscle and sheer excitement of the very finest vintages is missing, this is a very pretty, harmonious wine.
Conterno Fantino’s 2005 Sori Ginestra demonstrates why Ginestra is justly regarded as one of Piedmont’s top vineyards. The wine is simply beautiful in the way the bouquet melds seamlessly into the fruit, all of which comes together on the building finish, where the typical balsamic and mentholated notes that are often found in this wine make an appearance. The 2005 is a fresh, vibrant Sori Ginestra with notable depth, and while some of the muscle and sheer excitement of the very finest vintages is missing, this is a very pretty, harmonious wine. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. 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