Jay Kline

9.6

Conterno’s “Monfortino” Barolo Riserva (early vintages like this one were labeled as “Stravecchia” and “Extra Barolo”) practically defined the Riserva style. In many ways, one could make the arguement that it blazed the trail for Barolo’s reputation as being the age-worthy wine it is today. Back in the early days, Monfortino was a blend of purchased fruit. Control of Cascina Francia, in Serralunga d’Alba, did not come until the late 1970’s. I can’t be sure but I believe the fruit used to be sourced from Monforte d’Alba and specifically from Le Coste, Bussia and possibly others.

This bottle was opened several hours prior to service. The 1941 Monfortino pours a pale garnet/rust color with significant rim variation and a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears and light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of Maraschino cherry, menthol, Tootsie Roll, espresso macchiato, walnut, and truffle. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Sublime. Getting to experience an 80+ year old wine is always a special treat. Getting to experience a Barolo from World War II, during one of the darkest periods in Italy’s past, is extraordinary. Getting to experience early Monfortino (pre-estate) made by Giacomo himself…well, it is drinking history. I nearly got emotional. While it’s clearly is showing its age, the 1941 shows its class and has some impressive moves. We delighted as it danced across the palate, proving that it still has stories to tell. Drink now if you ever see a bottle. — 3 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Deep Ruby with aromas of fresh ripe berry fruits, floral and slight spicy notes. Blend of 95% Sangiovese; 5% Canaiolo & Colorino, aged 24 months in oak. Fruit comes primarily from a small parcel of galestro-rich soils. On the palate cherry and black raspberry flavors, adding lovely floral notes, well balanced with acidity and fine tannins. The finish is long ending with slight earthy toasty minerality. Very Nice!! — 8 days ago

Pooneet K

9.1

Fresh and will go for a very long time. Tannins are pretty chunky but still a nice wine. — 11 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Bright Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, spices, oak and floral notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and sweet plum with notes of herb pepper, tobacco, cedar and cacao. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins, ending with oak and earthy notes. Needs a few more years in the bottle! — 8 days ago

Jennifer

9.0

I’d forgotten how very yummy Amarone was. Italian restaurant in Rome - they didn’t have the primitivo I wanted so tried this Classico 2020 instead. Very quaffable, rich notes went well with my lasagna. Bit like a warm hug and relatively low tannins. Now to see if I can find anything similar back in UK. — 7 days ago

Helen Arvanitopoulos

9.3

Well this was a beauty.
2015 didn’t disappoint. Beautiful cherry flavours on the nose. Palate of red fruits and full body. Celebrated all the good things in life — 2 days ago

Pooneet K

9.1

Nose smells quite musty and older than it is. The fruit is quite secondary and relatively seamless. — 11 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Aldo Vaira took control of family vineyards in 1968, he was just 15 years old. Today, G.D. Vajra consists of 150 acres, mostly around the commune of Barolo. Ruby with a rich bouquet of fruit, spices & floral notes, fruit from several vineyards, aged 26 months in Slavonian oak. On the palate flavors of cherry & raspberry with notes of pepper, cinnamon & floral, slight earthy notes. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins ending with earthy floral notes. Enjoyable now, a few more years will benefit. — 13 days ago

Danny O'Brien

9.2

Raspberry, roses & tar on the nose, grippy tannins and a slight meatiness on the palate. Fruit is present but ever so slightly lacking for me, I wish it translated from the nose to the palate just a touch more. Overall very nice and enjoyable! — 9 days ago

Lyn Farmer

9.2

Elegant and at 30 years really starting to show its age with a bit too much oxidation. The finesse and elegant structure, the valve between fruit and acidity is still there but the wine is showing mainly tertiary elements now - lots of dried herbs, mint, mushroom and earth with just hints of the plum, black cherry and blueberry that were once there. Very long finish ands very much for those who appreciate aged wines. — 25 days ago