Photo courtesy of Polaner Selections

Giacomo Conterno Smart Buy
Going North

Roberto Conterno is a force to be reckoned with. A man with a gift of harnessing the absolute best of a vintage, no matter the quality. A look back at the vintages that Roberto has helmed at Giacomo Conterno and you can quickly see that in the largely celebrated vintages, Roberto has never missed a beat or step. But what quickly leaps out is how the Giacomo Conterno wines are wines that transcend the norm of the difficult vintages. It is the intuitive nature and gift of Roberto that allows him to harness the absolute best he can from his vineyards no matter the vintage character and conditions.

This is not to say that Roberto’s wines do not represent the overall vintage character, they absolutely do. However, Roberto’s wines are the sum of best attributes of the vintage and are produced in extremely methodical and restrictive measures to ensure quality no matter what the end resulting quantity may be.

The same care and attention is being bestowed on Roberto’s expansion in Gattinara. 2018 is Roberto’s first complete vintage owning Cantine Nervi. A challenging vintage for the region, Roberto has excelled immediately in Gattinara. 

These are some of the most exciting wines from Roberto in years. The Nervi Gattinara are nowhere near one of Roberto’s phenomenal 100-point Monfortino Riservas - just the opposite - they are stellar wines that are seductively delicious Nebbiolo that don’t require years to shine. Already approachable now but able to age gracefully with ease in the cellar, these are exceptional wines from a “master” at a price point well below the famed Barolo. 

Gattinara is a historic region and was the reigning Queen of Italian wine long before Barbaresco became famous. Located north of Barolo and with higher elevations, the Nebbiolo of Gattinara in the hands of Roberto Conterno is pure elegance. This is a wine of pure class that is beautifully adorned with bright decadent fruit that is engulfed in the floral explosion of Nebbiolo with a persistent dry finish with the hallmark elements of tar. 

These are very exciting wines from Roberto Conterno and a much appreciated addition to the range of tremendous wines that he and his family produce from Nebbiolo.

Cheers,
Jeremy