Conterno Fantino Barolo "Vigna del Gris" DOCG 2019
(Piedmont, Italy) - [JS 96] [WA 95+] [WS 95] [VM 94]

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:
“Notes of red berries, crushed herbs and orange blossom with hints of lilac and wet stones. Medium- to full-bodied. Meaty and mouth-filling with polished tannins that are a little chewy at the end. Refined and sleek. Hints of bitter spices in the finish. Try after 2026.” (Jun 2023)

95+ Points - Wine Advocate:
“Quite robust and powerful on first nose, the 2019 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris needs more time in bottle to flesh out and move past this current youthful phase. This wine is definitely poised to give more to those who wait. It opens to a dark garnet hue and ripe aromas of cherry skin, plum, rose and orange peel. Within the span of a few minutes, it starts to show additional spice and nutmeg. The tannins are still grippy in this 9,100-bottle release.” – Monica Larner (Aug 2023)

95 Points - Wine Spectator:
“Offers attractive notes of cherry and raspberry, plus iron, tar and underbrush flavors wrapped in an embrace of toasty oak. Overall, this red is balanced and the fruit should emerge as all the elements integrate over the next decade or so. Long, resonant finish. Best from 2027 through 2045. 600 cases made, 180 cases imported.” – BS (Nov 2023)

94 Points - Vinous Media:
“The 2019 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris is another terrific wine from Conterno-Fantino. Crushed flowers, cedar, pipe tobacco, mint, dried flowers and worn-in leather give the 2019 striking aromatic presence. Here, too, Fabio Conterno has done a terrific job in taming the Monforte tannins. The Gris never has the completeness of the other crus, but in 2019 it is positively striking. I would drink this ahead of the other 2019s.” - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2023)