Conterno Fantino Barolo Ginestra "Vigna del Gris" DOCG 2022
(Piedmont, Italy) - [JS 96] [WA 95] [JD 94+] [VM 93]

Notes from the Winemaker:

100% Nebbiolo Lampia and Michet from the historic Ginestra cru of Monforte d’Alba, partly from an old vineyard of 0.6 hectares (a little under 1.5 acres) and partly from one planted in 2000, covering 2.5 hectares (6.1 acres), southeasterly exposed. The latter is planted with a selection of all the new Nebbiolo clones fine-tuned in Piedmont since the Y2K, together with choice graftings from the best old vines. Soil is 47% sand, 37% silt and 16% clay, with a gradient of 26%. Exposure is predominantly southeast, altitude 1,150 feet above sea level (c. 350 meters). Crop yield is 1.2 kilos per vine, harvested the first 20 days of October (generally around Oct. 10th-20th). The wine is aged 2 years in French barriques and bottle-aged for a further year.

VINEYARD CHARACTARISTICS
The wine comes from the historical Ginestra cru of Monforte d'Alba, partly from an old vineyard of 0.6 hectares (a little under 1.5 acres) and partly from one planted in 2000, covering 2.5 hectares (6.1 acres), southeasterly exposed on sandier soil (the a

VINIFICATION AND AGING
Vinification is in rotary fermenters, with around 7-10 days’ maceration on the skins. The wine is aged 2 years in French barriques, bottled around mid-July of the 2nd year from harvest, and bottle-aged for a further year previous to release.

TASTING NOTES
Very deep color, ruby to garnet, rich, fruity and persistent bouquet of rose petals, brushwood and berries – particularly blackberries; full-bodied, luscious, round and mellow, with an ideal balance of acidity and tannins.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Best served at 20° C (68° F), decanting 2 hours beforehand. Wonderful with meat-based second courses and seasoned cheeses; the producer suggests pairing it with a typical Piedmontese dish called cacciatora chicken: 4 ripe, peeled tomatoes cut into chunks,

ANALYSIS DATA

Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Longevity: Ages beautifully for decades; best not before its fifth year
Production: 
Winemaker: Guido & Fabio Fantino

Ratings & Reviews:

96 Points – James Suckling:
“A quite complex, classic yet modern Barolo with an intense floral bouquet as well as graphite, vanilla, strawberries, red cherries and a whiff of coconut. Elegant attack on the medium- to full-bodied palate, showing velvety tannins and crisp, integrated acidity. Long, savory finish with a meaty touch. Best after 2027. ” (Feb 2026)

95 Points – Wine Advocate:
“The organic Conterno Fantino 2022 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris is a lovely wine with a broad, generous approach that feels rich and smooth across the palate. Sourced from a 1.8-hectare parcel on the calcareous Lequio Formation, it offers dark fruit, spice, tar and licorice with a more concentrated center of gravity. The wine faithfully reflects the power of the 2022 vintage, delivering heightened textural richness while remaining impressively composed. Aged for two years in French oak followed by another year in bottle, it would benefit from a few more years of cellaring to allow the oak to become even more fully absorbed into all that dark fruit. Some 9,300 bottles were produced." - Monica Larner (Jul 2026)

94+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck:
“The 2022 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Del Gris packs in more nervous energy and feels tighter and more rigid at this stage, yet there’s plenty to like in terms of its underlying potential. Aromatically, it opens with ripe fresh cherries, crushed stones, and floral apricot tones. On the palate, it’s muscular and compact, with grippy tannins and a firm, structured feel that suggests it will reward additional patience. Drink this promising effort after a few years in the cellar and enjoy it over the following decade or more. Drink 2028-2040." - Audrey Frick (Apr 2026)

93 Points - Vinous Media:

"The 2022 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris is bright and nicely focused, as wines from this site always are. Chalk, mint, crushed rocks, sage and vibrant red-toned fruit all come alive in the glass. This mid-weight saline Barolo has a lot to offer. I imagine it will always be rather linear, but all the elements are in the right place. The purity of the fruit here is sublime." - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2026)