Conterno Fantino Barolo Ginestra "Vigna Sori Ginestra" DOCG 2020
(Piedmont, Italy) - [JS 97] [VM 96] [JD 96] [WA 94]

Notes from the Winemaker:

100% Nebbiolo from the historic Ginestra cru of Monforte d’Alba, one of the finest for Barolo, and 30-year-old vines, Guyot-trained. Soil is 27% sand, 51% silt and 22% clay, and surface under vine is 3 hectares, i.e. 7.4 acres. Gradient is 30%, exposure southern and altitude 360 meters (1,181 feet) above sea level. Crop yield is a mere 1.2 kilos per vine. Harvest is in mid-October (around Oct. 11th-20th). The wine is aged 2 years in French barriques, bottled around mid-July, and bottle-aged for a further year previous to release.

VINEYARD CHARACTARISTICS
Guyot-trained vines on the historical Ginestra cru in Monforte d'Alba; soil is 27% sand, 51% silt, 22% clay, surface 3 ha., ie 7.4 acres; age of vines 30 yrs old, 30% gradient. Exposure southern, altitude 360 meters asl, 1,181 ft, crops 1.2 kilos per vine

VINIFICATION AND AGING: Skin maceration for 7-10 days, ageing 2 yrs in French oak barriques, 1 yr in bottle.

TASTING NOTES
Deep garnet with ruby hues, rich, fruity and persistent bouquet of rose petals, brushwood and berries; full-bodied, luscious and austere on the palate

SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Best served at 20° C (68° F), decanting 2 hours beforehand and paired with red meat and game

ANALYSIS DATA

Grapes: Nebbiolo (Lampia and Michet clones)
Longevity: Extremely long-living
Production: 
Winemaker: Guido & Fabio Fantino

Ratings & Reviews:

97 Points - Jame Suckling:
”Generous oak spices are in great harmony with the rich fruits and agile structure of this classic, memorable Barolo. Enticing cedar, cinnamon, iodine and sour cherry aromas meld with warm red cherries, cranberries and chalky mineral notes on an appropriately tannic texture. Best from 2030.” (Jan 2024)

96 Points - Vinous Media:
“The 2020 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Sorì Ginestra marries finesse with power, as can happen with the best sites here. Crushed flowers, orange peel, spice, mint, white pepper and tobacco lend notable aromatic presence. The 2020 starts easy, then explodes through the mid-palate and finish, showing notable textural depth and tons of finesse.” - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2024)

96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
“Coming from 55-year-old vines, the 2020 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Siri Ginestra offers another level of complexity and purity in its aromas of anise, pepper, rocky earth, fresh cherries, and pine. It’s well-defined and chiseled, with more depth of concentration throughout, and is going to be an exceptional wine to cellar and enjoy over the coming two decades. Drink 2026-2046.” (May 2024)

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
“The Conterno Fantino 2020 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Sorì Ginestra has a note of perfumed oak spice, pine cone, licorice root, Pastis, root beer, plump cherry fruit, baked ripeness and wild mint to close. This is a generous, complex and well-structured Barolo. The oak imprint is especially strong at this young stage, and the wine needs more time in bottle. Production is 11,800 bottles.” - Monica Larner (Apr 2024)