The 2004 Barolo is simply gorgeous. This mid-weight Barolo reveals a dark, translucent color along with a seamless expression of ripe red fruit, flowers and spices. This is an especially soft, accessible Barolo in this vintage, and it is drinking beautifully even at this early stage. This is also an unusually refined Barolo at this level. The fruit for this wine is a second selection from Conterno’s holdings in the Ginestra vineyard. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2014.
I have been a big fan of proprietor Giorgio Conterno’s wines for some time. Over the years these have become increasingly elegant Barolos, particularly in their refined tannins, much of which can be attributed to a more enlightened use of French oak.
At press time Conterno was in the process of changing his US importer.