Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino 2005

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4.2257391304348 5 0.5
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Winemaker's Notes:

"Incredibly polished Monfortino. The tannins caress your palate. Aromas of marzipan and dark fruits with orange peel ...

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  • WS: 79

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Slightly volatile on the nose with a very floral rush upfront then spicy wild berry fruit with a touch of cedar and cinnamon. Gains intensity in th... Read more

This is nicely perfumed though not showing much in terms of complexity yet. There are crisp notes of lichen-covered rocks with a touch of mint, rea... Read more

This offers a stark contrast to previous wines with it's sappy, almost burgundian fruit that remains cool and crisp and exceptionally primary with ... Read more

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Editorial Reviews for Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino

Snooth User: Gregory Dal Piaz
8906589,863
4.50 5
Vintage: 2001 01/19/2009

Slightly volatile on the nose with a very floral rush upfront then spicy wild berry fruit with a touch of cedar and cinnamon. Gains intensity in the glass with a sharp, assertive seared cherry and hot iron note and a touch of warm cardamom spice. Very grapefruity acidity lifts the peachy and berried fruit with a touch of passionfruit florality in the mouth. Very well managed tannins are a touch austere at this point. A solid showing for young Monfortino but one that is exceptionally elegant. 94pts

User Tags:

Monfortino

Snooth User: Gregory Dal Piaz
8906589,863
4.50 5
Vintage: 1999 04/20/2010

This is nicely perfumed though not showing much in terms of complexity yet. There are crisp notes of lichen-covered rocks with a touch of mint, real frutti del bosco tones that emerge with a slightly jammy edge, and some incipient spice tones adding depth. On the palate this possesses real depth and power with a fabulous, round feel and a core of sweet fruit that is restrained by the formidable structure. Even though it is so young, and quite closed this reveals huge, ripe fruit and tannins and excellent balance. I think this is still shutting down so expect near future encounters with this wine to be disappointing. When it awakes it will be a giant wine that will probably lack the precision and cut of the very best vintages but should makes up for that with its profound richness and power. 94pts


Snooth User: Gregory Dal Piaz
8906589,863
4.50 5
Vintage: 1999 02/11/2009

This offers a stark contrast to previous wines with it's sappy, almost burgundian fruit that remains cool and crisp and exceptionally primary with it's spicy loganberry character. This enterw the mouth with an explosion of ripe fruit sweetness that spreads across the tongue and offers up an intensity of fruit that is new worldly yet retains balance and sinewy muscularity that is firmly of the old. So round and rich right now, the only relief from the fruit is a lovely mineral tinge on the finish. At this stage the structure is still very much hidden and integrated in the plush fruit. This will be a wicked wine when it matures. 2013-2030


Snooth User: Gregory Dal Piaz
8906589,863
5.00 5
Vintage: 1999 02/11/2009

This was opened aroun 5 pm but it was about 9 pm by the time we got to it. At first the nose is balsam tinged strawberry fruit before exploding with hints of menthol, tar, boysenberry, muskmelon, so perfumed and intense but it fails to prepare one for the intensity in the mouth, outrageous concentration of intensely sweet and sapid fruit, after the subtlties of the older wines this is overstimulation. It's like getting a hand job without lubricant from, as Ken adds, an old farmer, if you like that sort of thing of course. Like I said overstimulation. This is just a monster, It'll probably shut down soon but is worth trying if you've got enough as it is like Barolo concentrate. Bravo!


Snooth User: Gregory Dal Piaz
8906589,863
4.50 5
Vintage: 1987 01/19/2009

This had lovely sweet fruit and spice notes upon opening but by the time dinner rolled around the fruit had calmed down and revealed more complexity, though I missed the sweet fruit. Leathery at first then floral and spicy with dark oily seeds which segued into a cocoa aspect then gained fatty mortadella notes and bright rosehip top notes. Eventually this began to sweeten up again with musky notes of dried porcini adding depth and engagingly sweet notes of licorice, orange rind, and peonie and a finale of espresso. All the elements of great Barolo were here on the nose but the palate didn't fulfill the promise held therein. This opened fairly big with tons of soft tannins filling the mouth and bright, youthful acidity but the wine was a bit blocky in the mouth and a touch too chewy and muddled across the midpalate. Medium full bodied with a very solid core of strawberry and cherry fruits that turned a bit more citrussy on the finish this might just be a bit too young, it certainly is, nut this bottle may not be pristine. A good but not great Monfortino 92pts

User Tags:

Monfortino

Snooth User: Gregory Dal Piaz
8906589,863
4.50 5
Vintage: 1987 02/11/2009

Apon opening around 1 pm this showed a gorgeous brnished red color. Exhibits a faint nose of iron, blood, and roasted stock bones. Some upfront sweetness in the mouth, dense and compact with great structure and a core of slightly confiture strawberry fruit with some leather and herbs on the long finish, a superb early showing.At around 8 pm the nose here is and endless pool of menthol tinged, minerally spicy dark berry, wild strawberry fruit - rich and dense in the mouth yet still very linear and tight. Retains the vibrancy of youth, full of soft tannins, floral and bitter cocoa top notes emerge. A very compelling bottle of wine that is just beginning to drink at peak.


Snooth User: Gregory Dal Piaz
8906589,863
4.50 5
Vintage: 1987 09/22/2008

This was afforded some 4 hours to breath and while it showed well it was not nearly as expressive as last years bottle. the nose was wonderful with apricot fruit right up front, very gentle indian spice tones, classic rose notes, really clean and bright with orange flesh, seared cherry and almond milk all adding depth. In the mouth this comes of as very sweet and painfully young with tons of tannin yet excellent transparency. I think this is just much less evolved than last years bottle but can't rule out a bit of damage. Of course the damage may very well have been to me after so many bottles of fine wine.


1 2 3 4

User Reviews for Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino

Add your review
Snooth User: Eric Guido
9254960,742
3.00 5
Vintage: 1999 07/25/2010

I found the nose to be a bit muted but showing cherry and a bit of clove. On the palate this showed a gorgeous structure with more cherry fruit. I feel like I didn't have enough time with this wine and that if I could follow it over time it would have opened up quite a bit more for me.


Snooth User: 97mjr
339902,159
0.00 5
Vintage: 1999 03/05/2009

dense, thick fruit; good structure. Just a baby. Plan to buy more and bury it deep in the cellar


Snooth User: GDal Piaz
647037
5.00 5
Vintage: 1999 05/24/2007

This was opened aroun 5 pm but it was about 9 pm by the time we got to it. At first the nose is balsam tinged strawberry fruit before exploding with hints of menthol, tar, boysenberry, muskmelon, so perfumed and intense but it fails to prepare one for the intensity in the mouth, outrageous concentration of intensely sweet and sapid fruit, after the subtlties of the older wines this is overstimulation. It's like getting a hand job without lubricant from, as Ken adds, an old farmer, if you like that sort of thing of course. Like I said overstimulation. This is just a monster, It'll probably shut down soon but is worth trying if you've got enough as it is like Barolo concentrate. Bravo!


Snooth User: Gabrio
3308634
4.00 5
Vintage: 1999 10/21/2007

Drank on 10/20/2007. The wine was very tight. It will be a great bottle in 10 years or so. Firm tannins and acidity, nose of liquorice, rose petals and violet.


Snooth User: ilVino
5538724
5.00 5
Vintage: 1999 07/08/2008

Unbelievable. Truly the king of wines. Like drinking silk!


Snooth User: solomania9
63312,960
4.00 5
Vintage: 1978 06/17/2009

Smells new and lush with some prunes and leather. Very acidic with leathery tart cherries. Most amazing to me is its consistency all the way throughout the start to the finish. Totally wouldn't have been able to tell it was such a coveted bottle though.


Snooth User: troyconquer
156663458
4.50 5
Vintage: 1978 06/17/2009

Smells like dark berries. Some leather on the nose as well. Acid, tannins, and leather are huge in the mouth. Great stuff. Thanks to GDP for the taste!

User Tags:

leather
  • acid

  • 1 2

    External Reviews for Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino

    External Review
    Vintage: 2001 03/06/2009

    "Monfortino" is the equivalent of Giacomo Conterno's Tête de Cuvée. It is the best grapes from the best sights and the oldest vines, vinified using traditional methods to create a wine for the ages.


    External Review
    Vintage: 2001 01/29/2009

    The 2001 Barolo Riserva Monfortino flows from the glass with stunning depth and purity. This seamless, elegant Barolo caresses the palate with incredible persistence as layers of aromas and flavors develop in the glass. Stylistically it is very much like the 2001 Cascina Francia, only with more intensity, depth and sheer volume. Monfortino has always had power to spare, but in 2001 it is also incredibly elegant, something that previous vintages have only acquired with significant bottle age. This is a towering, majestic Monfortino that will rightfully take its place among the very finest Monfortinos ever made.


    External Review
    Vintage: 1999 05/18/2010

    1999 Barolo Cascina Francia-Medium red. A classic in the making, the 1999 Cascina Francia offers a quintessentially pure expression of Nebbiolo in it aromas of roses, licorice and tar. It is powerful and potent on the palate, where endless layers of sweet fruit blossom with exceptional length. Though I expect it to be relatively accessible within a few years, it will also reward cellaring for several decades, and may ultimately be deserving of a higher score. A great effort. Good full red. Sappy, floral aromas of rose petal and underbrush. Juicy, bright and pure, with outstanding precision of flavor and floral lift. Dense, powerful and penetrating-and more vibrant than the 2000. Finishes with very suave, broad tannins.


    External Review
    Vintage: 1999 03/04/2010

    RP: 94 Points ST: 92+ Points


    External Review
    Vintage: 1999 07/06/2011

    A Nebbiolo wine from Piedmont in Italy. 1999 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino 750ml


    External Review
    Vintage: 1999 07/12/2007

    Monfortino is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the Barolo pyramid. Carrying on a grand tradition begun almost 90 years ago this remains a monument to traditional winemaking. Rich with deep, spicy fruit this Barolo has incredible structure ensuring a life that will be measured in decades yet is bursting with enough fruit to conceal all that power. A wine for the cellar.


    External Review
    Vintage: 1999 04/01/2008

    Barolo Cascina Francia Giacomo Conterno Piedmont


    1 2

    Ratings & Tags for Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino

    rated this wine
    5.00 5
    1999 01/15/2008

    29927 Snooth User: tyfus
    rated this wine
    5.00 5
    1999 08/03/2007

    rated this wine
    5.00 5
    1999 01/30/2008

    rated this wine
    5.00 5
    1999 06/05/2007

    rated this wine
    5.00 5
    1982 01/18/2012

    rated this wine
    5.00 5
    1982 01/03/2013

    Winemaker's Notes:

    "Incredibly polished Monfortino. The tannins caress your palate. Aromas of marzipan and dark fruits with orange peel and cedar. Dried fruits. Extremely floral as well. Full-bodied, with super fine tannins and a great elegance. You can drink now but will age for ages...98" JamesSuckling.com 07/12 "A rich, sensual tapestry of dark plums, cherries, smoke, incense, tar and licorice emerges from the 2005 Barolo Riserva Monfortino. Exotic, rich and layered, the 2005 boasts gorgeous depth and a sensual enveloping personality. I am quite amazed at how the 2005 has developed since I last tasted it, in November 2011. The once-firm tannins have never been more elegant than they are today. That said, as good as the 2005 is, it doesn’t quite have the thrill factor of the very best vintages. ...96" WA 10/12

    "Incredibly polished Monfortino. The tannins caress your palate. Aromas of marzipan and dark fruits with orange peel and cedar. Dried fruits. Extremely floral as well. Full-bodied, with super fine tannins and a great elegance. You can drink now but will age for ages...98" JamesSuckling.com 07/12 "A rich, sensual tapestry of dark plums, cherries, smoke, incense, tar and licorice emerges from the 2005 Barolo Riserva Monfortino. Exotic, rich and layered, the 2005 boasts gorgeous depth and a sensual enveloping personality. I am quite amazed at how the 2005 has developed since I last tasted it, in November 2011. The once-firm tannins have never been more elegant than they are today. That said, as good as the 2005 is, it doesn’t quite have the thrill factor of the very best vintages. ...96" WA 10/12

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