Floral, strawberry, cherry, leather, searing acid, screaming tannins. I see where Nebbiolo gets it from. A beautiful wine, but definitely needs time. — 6 years ago
Some of the stink of great old Barolo with hints of Madeira and a deep ry fruit. Licorice and faded rose. A great color, deep pure and intense. On the palate deep secondary fruit. Leather, dark fruit. Very clear and pure. A great bottle. — 6 years ago
Recovering from a horrendous cold that I’m pretty sure I got from walking the streets of Paris last week, I decided to venture out for a “treat yourself” Monday night dinner back in Chicago.
You know that song lyric that goes, “whatever Lola wants, Lola gets”? Well, not in my case. I did want a French wine solely based on nostalgia, but settled on an Italian in a French restaurant.
With one nostril passage opened, I was able to get a very overpowering bouquet of tar (which by the way has been on my bucket list of aromatics to smell- so happy I can cross that off), earth floor, mushrooms, cedar and a bit of menthol.
Tannins are very much soft and nonexistent in this bottle- full bodied with high acidity. Medium garnet color, which was surprising based on the age. I didn’t find this as complex as some Barolos I’ve had in the past, but still found it very enjoyable. On the palate, a very surprising sweet ripeness of red plum that doesn’t linger long on the tongue. Overall- not bad for a Monday. — 7 years ago
Expressive nose of sweet and sour cherries, blue berries, incense, and dried flower. Round and bright palate with medium to high acidity and soft bittersweet tannins. From a tiny 2/3 of a hectare family holding of the Santo Stefano di Perno vineyard, aged for 18 months in used Slovakia oak barrel, this Barbera shows exceptional freshness and purity of the fruits at this young age, but also has depth and structure to age further. — 8 years ago
This boy ready to drink! (Yes you could age it another freaking 20, but I lean more towards the fresher fun side of barolo.) Where as Mascarello is delicate and ethereal , Conterno is a decisive power house. And at the right moment can be sublime and uniquely aromatic. High toned with structured tannins it was a perfect wine for braised lamb necks and olives. Even Madi was blown away as the wine opened up and offered some serious cherry and velvety tar. And then there was the finish. Jesus. Lasting an eternity. Making you want another sip.
At Chi Spacca with Madi — 3 years ago
210818 aroma muy suave. Sabor completo en la boca pero deja un poco de sabor amargo al final — 5 years ago
Likey. Good pizza wine. Again fo sho. — 6 years ago
A 30 min decant, nose amazing, taste was seductive and my oldest Monvigliero, according to other 2011, Mascarello and Vigna Francia , this is clearly more my style! — 7 years ago
Follow up wine to our 07 Bartolo Mascarello on Friday night. Vacuum sealed and re-stored enough to write notes today as we had friends for dinner.
The nose reveals, floral, slightly creamy, candied with hints of stewed fruits; blackberries, blueberries, black plum, dark cherries, plum, boysenberries and dark cherries. There is a little smoke here but, if they named this wine and vineyard because their is ash on the nose and palate, it wouldn’t surprise me. Soft volcanic minerals, some anise, dark rich, turned earth, vanilla, cinnamon, hints if clove, dark spice, limestone, sweet tarriness, used leather, wood shavings, light peppery notes, light mintiness with dark red, fresh & withering dark floral and violets.
The body is full. The tannins are soft, round and velvety. The structure, tension, length and balance have hit a high point but, there is 8-10 years of life ahead. ripe; blackberries, blueberries, black plum, dark cherries, plum, boysenberries and dark cherries. Some smoke, cigar ash, soft volcanic minerals, some anise, dark rich, turned earth, vanilla, cinnamon, hints of clove, very dark spice with palate heat, limestone, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, sweet tarriness, used leather, wood shavings, light peppery notes, light mintiness with dark red, fresh & withering dark floral and violets. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is rich, lush, ripe, well balanced and persists a very longtime.
Photos of, The Venge with Estate vines, inside their tasting room, Winemaker-Owner Kirk Venge and their Bone Ash Vineyard in late Winter or for us in CA, more like Springtime on a non rainy day. — 7 years ago
Very impressive for the vintage. Drinking well now. Proof (along w B. Mascarello) that good producers who weren’t hit by hail made good wines. Sadly Cavallotto was wiped out, and Brovia nearly so. — 8 years ago
House wine in Quebec. Decent — 3 years ago
This is gorgeous. A soft edged nose with red and black cherry, dried roses. On the palate this is gorgeous and soft. The fruit is delicate and focused. Tobacco and soft wood notes come through later in the midpalate. Very classy and in great shape right now. — 4 years ago

Major-General Sir William Biddles Curran
More crappy wine
The aromatics are of average intensity with notes of dark cherries, spices, pepper and cloves. The wine as a good mix of the Barbera’s acidity and some integrated tannins, easy drinking, good even if not very complex. To be slightly chilled before serving.
Nez moyennement aromatique de cerises, épices, poivre et clou girofle. Bouche alliant acidité appuyée et tannins intégrés, agréable, sans être très complexe, à boire un peu rafraîchi autour de 17-18 degrés. — 6 years ago
Bestia Los Angeles. Complex. Deep for a barbera — 8 years ago
Lovely, medium bodied wine. — 8 years ago
Magic. And while slightly over the hill, still outstanding, with lots of aromas to offer. — 8 years ago
Brendan Baker
Floral nose, black fruits, warm earth, green herbs, fresh and open 🙌 — 7 months ago