1997 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Speciale Monfortino
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Tasting notes
The 1997 Barolo Riserva Monfortino has always been an unctuous, exotic wine. It is all that and more tonight. Layered and seamless in the glass, with no hard edges, the 1997 is one of the most opulent Monfortinos Giovanni Conterno ever made. I still remember tasting it in barrel, when it was so flamboyant. Time has tempered some of that richness, and yet the 1997 Monfortino is one of the wines that really shows the vintage at its most profound.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 1997 Monfortino is served and all conversation suddenly stops as we taste the wine. Breathtaking aromatics leave the room rapt with attention. You can hear a pin drop. Just as thrilling on the palate, the 1997 is utterly captivating from the very first taste. The 1997 is exotic, full-bodied and viscerally thrilling to the core. What a wine! Tasted from magnum.
Completely mature ruby with dark centre. A little dusty at first and hints of bacon and sweet spice and kirsch. Gripping tannin and beautiful acidity. Almost richly concentrated fruit without being heavy. Loads of stalky but ripe tannin: whole-bunch fermentation? Fits the bill perfectly. Very long and still great lengths to go. Tannins have the last words. The richest of the four but also the lowest (if only by 0.5) in alcohol. 17.5/20 points. (WS)
Completely mature ruby with dark centre. A little dusty at first and hints of bacon and sweet spice and kirsch. Gripping tannin and beautiful acidity. Almost richly concentrated fruit without being heavy. Loads of stalky but ripe tannin: whole-bunch fermentation? Fits the bill perfectly. Very long and still great lengths to go. Tannins have the last words. The richest of the four but also the lowest (if only by 0.5) in alcohol. (WS)
About the producer
Giacomo Conterno is arguably Barolo’s most celebrated estate. While most famous for its Monfortino Riserva, the quality found in every bottling of Nebbiolo and Barbera at this address makes them a benchmark producer for both varieties.