Monfortino Riserva Giacomo Conterno 2013

Monfortino is unabashedly a true liquid legend, an absolute outlier capable of rewriting the history of Barolo and sitting at the table of the world's greatest wines. A granite monument, it is an almost immortal creature given its ability to defy time and establish a dialectical relationship in which it even emerges enriched after decades. A piece of Langa, deep and territorial, as is the winery founded by the Conterno family in 1900 without ever failing, from that day forward, the classic and austere interpretation of a vocated vine such as Nebbiolo. The first Monfortino label appeared in 1924 to emphasize the location of the vineyards located in Monforte d'Alba, while since 1974, the wine has been made entirely from the Vigna Francia of Serralunga D'Alba.

Monfortino Riserva comes from a selection of the best Nebbiolo grapes located in the Francia vineyard, the same vineyard from which Barolo and Barbera Cascina Francia, other historic Conterno wines, are derived. After meticulous sorting of the clusters, the first fermentation takes place in 61-hectoliter oak vats, with long macerations, including submerged cap macerations, as per tradition. Then the liquid is moved to large wooden barrels, mainly of Austrian origin, where after malolactic fermentation, it refines for about six years before bottling.

Barolo Monfortino Riserva presents itself in the glass with a bright, iridescent garnet-red colour. The nose is a poignant portrait of Langa, which is gradually and whisperingly revealed. Dog rose, violet, cherry: there is everything in this hymn to classicism, although to speak of descriptors is almost reductive given the harmony and cohesion of the aromas. The taste is experiential, a veritable cyclone that conquers the palate filling it with grace and power at the same time. The displacement of the liquid allows it to go very far while fading into an eternal persistence. A must-drink at least once in a lifetime.