2004 Barolo Monfortino: Simply Magnificent!

2004 MONFORTINO: Off-the-scale!

Robert Parker’s wine rating scale yet again demonstrates its limitations by awarding Monfortino “only” 100 points. A prime example of the limitations of point scales is the 100-point rating awarded to the 2004 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva: is it enough? If one of the best winemakers in the world continues to improve every vintage, how will future wines be scored??
Anyone who knows us also knows we don’t give a hoot about scores and reviews. We just make sure that all the excellent wines on our shelves are rubbing shoulders with bottles that are equally great.

A bit of background: The Giacomo Conterno winery was established in 1908 by Giovanni Conterno. He and his son Giacomo made the first Barolo Monfortino in 1920, intended to be a long-aging, powerful Barolo. Giacomo continued the winery, using nebbiolo purchased from top Serralunga farmers. In 1969, Giacomo’s sons, Aldo and Giovanni, divided the estate, with Giovanni keeping the Giacomo Conterno name and family winemaking traditions. With the purchase of the Cascina Francia vineyards in 1974, the Conternos achieved their goal of 100% estate-grown fruit.  Roberto Conterno continues the family legacy, and like his father, has proven himself a brilliant winemaker.

VINTAGES is honored be able to offer these magnificent wines to our customers. Following are reviews of the three new Giacomo Conterno releases. To order, select one of the four packages: Magnificent Mixed Case or Six Pack; Conterno Collector’s Barolo Case or Six Pack.   Just call Eric Broege at 978-369-2545 or email eric@vintagesonline.com to purchase.

2004 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barolo Monfortino Riserva $585   100 pts.
“The 2004 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is drop-dead gorgeous. I have tasted the wine multiple times from barrel and three times from bottle and never been anything less than blown away. The 2004 is a subtle, layered Monfortino that captures the sheer elegance and finesse of this great vintage. It is sweet, perfumed, silky and utterly mind-blowing. From barrel it has always been a 100 point wine, but it has just been bottled and naturally a bit closed in on itself. Still, with some time in the glass its silky, perfumed fruit and dazzling class come to life. The 2004 is remarkably harmonious for such a young wine.
Kudos to Roberto Conterno and his team for this magnificent, thrilling Barolo. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2044. 100 pts.” – Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

2007 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barolo Cascina Francia $125 96+ pts.
Roberto Conterno decided not to bottle Monfortino in 2007. “The result is a Cascina Francia that is unusually dark, rich and powerful. The floral, herbal notes that are typical in young Cascina Francia have been replaced by deeper notes of tar, smoke and licorice to match the layers of intense dark fruit. The 2007 is powerful and imposing from start to finish. It is going to be a fascinating Barolo to follow over the coming years and decades. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2037. 96 pts.” — Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

2009 GIACOMO CONTERNO Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia $50 93 pts.
“Dazzles with its combination of expressive, generous fruit and insistent minerality. Sweet herbs, roses, spices, anise, licorice and leather add complexity to a core of radiant fruit. This is a regal, aristocratic Barbera of the highest level. Drink 2012-2029. 93 pts.” –A. Galloni, WA

GIACOMO CONTERNO 2004 Barolo Monfortino Packages
Prices in ( ) are the discounted price for that package.

1. Magnificent Mixed Case: 4 bottles of each
2004 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva $585 ($497.25) 100 pts.
2007 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia $125 ($106.25) 96+ pts.
2009 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia $50 ($42.50) 93 pts.
12 bottles = $2,584

2. Stellar Six Pack: 2 bottles each
2004 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva $585 ($526.50)
2007 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia $125 ($112.50)
2009 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia $50 ($45)
6 bottles = $1,368

3. Conterno Collector’s Barolo Case — 6 bottles each
2007 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva $585 ($497.25)
2004 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia $125 ($106.25)
12 bottles = $3,621

4. Conterno Collector’s Barolo Six pack – 3 bottles each
2007 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva $585 ($526.50)
2004 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia $125 ($112.50)
6 bottles = $1,917

Call Eric at 978-369-2545 or email eric@vintagesonline.com.