Hyperbole is just the best thing ever!

[Jeff Grossman]

Excerpts of an email touting the new vintage of Nervi-Conterno:

"When Giacomo Conterno first took over the historic Gattinara estate of Nervi — transforming it into Nervi-Conterno — there were some reports of skepticism. Was Conterno simply lending Nervi his famous name so that they could boost sales and prices?

We now know, with certainly, that this is not the case. The wines of Nervi-Conterno soared in quality -- first when Conterno began consulting, and then even more after the full take-over — to the point that they are now not just the finest wines of Gattinara, but also among the very greatest wines of Piedmont and of Italy."

What a story: skeptics silenced by soaring quality. Gosh.

"It can be awkward to compare wine quality in quantitative terms, but in this case, the numbers are quite striking and revealing: recent Vinous scores have put Nervi-Conternos neck in neck with, or even ahead of, Conterno's famous Barolo Francia. A new era has arrived in Gattinara, and it requires a new way of imagining the great potential of these wines."

More points. Say it with me: more points than before!

"Nervi-Conterno has long been considered the region's reference point. Under Conterno, it has moved onto another plain all together."

Wouldn't that violate the DOCG?

"We are excited to offer the newly-released 2019 today with the best possible discounting. It has not yet been professionally reviewed, but, as noted above, recent vintage reviews have equated these wines with Conterno's great Barolos. The 2019 was an excellent Piedmont vintage, and with Conterno continuing to lead improvements at the winery and in the vineyards there is every reason to expect that this release will be the best one to date.

Quantities are good but not unlimited and they should sell fast with this discount:"

Of course, we need to be told that such a marvel -- which has not yet crossed a human taste bud -- will sell out immediately. Get it quick! This way to the egress!

And three egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

 

[Florida Jim]

Mad men can’t spell.

 

[Tristan Welles]

Why would you need the "best possible discounting" (sic) for such great wine?

 

[Salil Benegal]

"Hyperbole is just the best thing ever!"

I've said that a million times!

 

[Andrew Zachary]

originally posted by Salil Benegal:
"Hyperbole is just the best thing ever!"

I've said that a million times!

Surely, you over-exaggerated this very unique, perhaps most unique statement, said without the least ironical thought.

 

[Steve Guattery]

All those points are necessary to recoup the investment in a very fancy (and highly reputed) restaurant, Cucine Nervi, and a new, modern winery.

To add a little context, here's what we saw on our recent visit to Gattinara:

Nervi-Conterno was just up the street from where we were staying, and we passed it on a walk our first morning there. We stopped in to see about the possibility of a winery visit (the circumstances of our trip precluded preplanning visits).

The restaurant is on the main street through town. No pictures of the interior, but what we could see through the windows was upscale modern, with an open kitchen.

The winery was also modern in style, and built to impress.

We inquired about a winery visit, but were not able to make it work with our schedule. In that process we entered the winery and were able to take a few pictures. The suspended viewing area in this picture is reached by a looping cantilevered staircase.

This picture shows part of that staircase; the view is looking out toward the front of the winery building.

We did not eat at the restaurant, so no comment on that. We did drink a bottle of the basic Gattinara at another restaurant in town. I don't have a picture of the bottle or a note, but it was the most recent release at the time, probably the 2018. Big (bigger than any other Gattinara I've had) and tannic. The youth of the wine made it hard to get a good read on it. Not inexpensive - I hope the discount on the 2019 is good!

 

[mark e]

originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
Hyperbole is just the best thing ever!Excerpts of an email touting the new vintage of Nervi-Conterno:

"When Giacomo Conterno first took over the historic Gattinara estate of Nervi — transforming it into Nervi-Conterno — there were some reports of skepticism. Was Conterno simply lending Nervi his famous name so that they could boost sales and prices?

We now know, with certainly, that this is not the case. The wines of Nervi-Conterno soared in quality -- first when Conterno began consulting, and then even more after the full take-over — to the point that they are now not just the finest wines of Gattinara, but also among the very greatest wines of Piedmont and of Italy."

What a story: skeptics silenced by soaring quality. Gosh.

"It can be awkward to compare wine quality in quantitative terms, but in this case, the numbers are quite striking and revealing: recent Vinous scores have put Nervi-Conternos neck in neck with, or even ahead of, Conterno's famous Barolo Francia. A new era has arrived in Gattinara, and it requires a new way of imagining the great potential of these wines."

More points. Say it with me: more points than before!

"Nervi-Conterno has long been considered the region's reference point. Under Conterno, it has moved onto another plain all together."

Wouldn't that violate the DOCG?

"We are excited to offer the newly-released 2019 today with the best possible discounting. It has not yet been professionally reviewed, but, as noted above, recent vintage reviews have equated these wines with Conterno's great Barolos. The 2019 was an excellent Piedmont vintage, and with Conterno continuing to lead improvements at the winery and in the vineyards there is every reason to expect that this release will be the best one to date.

Quantities are good but not unlimited and they should sell fast with this discount:"

Of course, we need to be told that such a marvel -- which has not yet crossed a human taste bud -- will sell out immediately. Get it quick! This way to the egress!

And three egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

Sounds very lylefassy, whether it is or not. «Another plain»? Really?

 

[VLM]

originally posted by Steve Guattery:
All those points are necessary to recoup the investment in a very fancy (and highly reputed) restaurant, Cucine Nervi, and a new, modern winery.

To add a little context, here's what we saw on our recent visit to Gattinara:

Nervi-Conterno was just up the street from where we were staying, and we passed it on a walk our first morning there. We stopped in to see about the possibility of a winery visit (the circumstances of our trip precluded preplanning visits).

The restaurant is on the main street through town. No pictures of the interior, but what we could see through the windows was upscale modern, with an open kitchen.

The winery was also modern in style, and built to impress.

We inquired about a winery visit, but were not able to make it work with our schedule. In that process we entered the winery and were able to take a few pictures. The suspended viewing area in this picture is reached by a looping cantilevered staircase.

This picture shows part of that staircase; the view is looking out toward the front of the winery building.

We did not eat at the restaurant, so no comment on that. We did drink a bottle of the basic Gattinara at another restaurant in town. I don't have a picture of the bottle or a note, but it was the most recent release at the time, probably the 2018. Big (bigger than any other Gattinara I've had) and tannic. The youth of the wine made it hard to get a good read on it. Not inexpensive - I hope the discount on the 2019 is good!

It wasn't complete when we were there in 2019 but it certainly sticks out like a sore thumb compared to everything else there. No one was really critical, I think they were being very cautious, but there were a few snarky side comments. Although the area has benefitted from outsiders (Piane, Le Pianelle) I do worry that Conterno is bringing the Napa-fication that has occurred in his native Langhe to the area.

 

[VLM]

originally posted by mark e:

"When Giacomo Conterno first took over the historic Gattinara estate of Nervi — transforming it into Nervi-Conterno — there were some reports of skepticism. Was Conterno simply lending Nervi his famous name so that they could boost sales and prices?

Sounds very lylefassy, whether it is or not. «Another plain»? Really?

Flatiron. They should be embarrassed. I imagine an email like this Would not have happened if Susannah were still there.

 

[Pavel Tchichikov]

Presumably Flatiron NY rather than SF.

 

[MarkS]

originally posted by Pavel Tchichikov:
Presumably Flatiron NY rather than SF.

Correct, but they are trees from the same branch.

 

[Keith Levenberg]

originally posted by mark e:

originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
Hyperbole is just the best thing ever!Excerpts of an email touting the new vintage of Nervi-Conterno:

"When Giacomo Conterno first took over the historic Gattinara estate of Nervi — transforming it into Nervi-Conterno — there were some reports of skepticism. Was Conterno simply lending Nervi his famous name so that they could boost sales and prices?

We now know, with certainly, that this is not the case. The wines of Nervi-Conterno soared in quality -- first when Conterno began consulting, and then even more after the full take-over — to the point that they are now not just the finest wines of Gattinara, but also among the very greatest wines of Piedmont and of Italy."

What a story: skeptics silenced by soaring quality. Gosh.

"It can be awkward to compare wine quality in quantitative terms, but in this case, the numbers are quite striking and revealing: recent Vinous scores have put Nervi-Conternos neck in neck with, or even ahead of, Conterno's famous Barolo Francia. A new era has arrived in Gattinara, and it requires a new way of imagining the great potential of these wines."

More points. Say it with me: more points than before!

"Nervi-Conterno has long been considered the region's reference point. Under Conterno, it has moved onto another plain all together."

Wouldn't that violate the DOCG?

"We are excited to offer the newly-released 2019 today with the best possible discounting. It has not yet been professionally reviewed, but, as noted above, recent vintage reviews have equated these wines with Conterno's great Barolos. The 2019 was an excellent Piedmont vintage, and with Conterno continuing to lead improvements at the winery and in the vineyards there is every reason to expect that this release will be the best one to date.

Quantities are good but not unlimited and they should sell fast with this discount:"

Of course, we need to be told that such a marvel -- which has not yet crossed a human taste bud -- will sell out immediately. Get it quick! This way to the egress!

And three egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

Sounds very lylefassy, whether it is or not. «Another plain»? Really?

No, I'm not getting any Fass notes here at all, but I might have confused it for a Crush email in a blind tasting.

 

[Ken Schramm]

recent Vinous scores have put Nervi-Conternos neck in neck with, or even ahead of, Conterno's famous Barolo Francia.

Neck in neck. That's some H.P. Lovecraft stuff there. The imagery will haunt me for days.

"We have illegal preposition, fifteen yard penalty, loss of down..."

 

[mark e]

originally posted by Keith Levenberg:

originally posted by mark e:

originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
Hyperbole is just the best thing ever!Excerpts of an email touting the new vintage of Nervi-Conterno:

"When Giacomo Conterno first took over the historic Gattinara estate of Nervi — transforming it into Nervi-Conterno — there were some reports of skepticism. Was Conterno simply lending Nervi his famous name so that they could boost sales and prices?

We now know, with certainly, that this is not the case. The wines of Nervi-Conterno soared in quality -- first when Conterno began consulting, and then even more after the full take-over — to the point that they are now not just the finest wines of Gattinara, but also among the very greatest wines of Piedmont and of Italy."

What a story: skeptics silenced by soaring quality. Gosh.

"It can be awkward to compare wine quality in quantitative terms, but in this case, the numbers are quite striking and revealing: recent Vinous scores have put Nervi-Conternos neck in neck with, or even ahead of, Conterno's famous Barolo Francia. A new era has arrived in Gattinara, and it requires a new way of imagining the great potential of these wines."

More points. Say it with me: more points than before!

"Nervi-Conterno has long been considered the region's reference point. Under Conterno, it has moved onto another plain all together."

Wouldn't that violate the DOCG?

"We are excited to offer the newly-released 2019 today with the best possible discounting. It has not yet been professionally reviewed, but, as noted above, recent vintage reviews have equated these wines with Conterno's great Barolos. The 2019 was an excellent Piedmont vintage, and with Conterno continuing to lead improvements at the winery and in the vineyards there is every reason to expect that this release will be the best one to date.

Quantities are good but not unlimited and they should sell fast with this discount:"

Of course, we need to be told that such a marvel -- which has not yet crossed a human taste bud -- will sell out immediately. Get it quick! This way to the egress!

And three egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

Sounds very lylefassy, whether it is or not. «Another plain»? Really?

No, I'm not getting any Fass notes here at all, but I might have confused it for a Crush email in a blind tasting.

Nonsense. Here is a quote from his site about a Barolo. Took 5 sec to find absurd hyperbole:

Wow. Nose is so serene and floral. The most vivid florals one can imagine. Just insane. You really smell like the petals of red roses are being rubbed over and over the aroma just keeps delivering that perfect fresh initial aroma. Glorious. What a site Ravera is. Spice as well and glorious mid season cherry fruit. Wow this nose is a 9.8 knockout. Unreal palate with just terrific sweet fruit and energy. An abundance of sweet, velvety tannins and just unreal clarity of sweet mid to late season cherry fruit. Such purity. Such length. Long as the day is in mid July. Wow. A knockout. Stunning“

 

[Jonathan Loesberg]

originally posted by mark e:

originally posted by Keith Levenberg:

originally posted by mark e:

originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
Hyperbole is just the best thing ever!Excerpts of an email touting the new vintage of Nervi-Conterno:

"When Giacomo Conterno first took over the historic Gattinara estate of Nervi — transforming it into Nervi-Conterno — there were some reports of skepticism. Was Conterno simply lending Nervi his famous name so that they could boost sales and prices?

We now know, with certainly, that this is not the case. The wines of Nervi-Conterno soared in quality -- first when Conterno began consulting, and then even more after the full take-over — to the point that they are now not just the finest wines of Gattinara, but also among the very greatest wines of Piedmont and of Italy."

What a story: skeptics silenced by soaring quality. Gosh.

"It can be awkward to compare wine quality in quantitative terms, but in this case, the numbers are quite striking and revealing: recent Vinous scores have put Nervi-Conternos neck in neck with, or even ahead of, Conterno's famous Barolo Francia. A new era has arrived in Gattinara, and it requires a new way of imagining the great potential of these wines."

More points. Say it with me: more points than before!

"Nervi-Conterno has long been considered the region's reference point. Under Conterno, it has moved onto another plain all together."

Wouldn't that violate the DOCG?

"We are excited to offer the newly-released 2019 today with the best possible discounting. It has not yet been professionally reviewed, but, as noted above, recent vintage reviews have equated these wines with Conterno's great Barolos. The 2019 was an excellent Piedmont vintage, and with Conterno continuing to lead improvements at the winery and in the vineyards there is every reason to expect that this release will be the best one to date.

Quantities are good but not unlimited and they should sell fast with this discount:"

Of course, we need to be told that such a marvel -- which has not yet crossed a human taste bud -- will sell out immediately. Get it quick! This way to the egress!

And three egregious spelling or grammatical errors.

Sounds very lylefassy, whether it is or not. «Another plain»? Really?

No, I'm not getting any Fass notes here at all, but I might have confused it for a Crush email in a blind tasting.

Nonsense. Here is a quote from his site about a Barolo. Took 5 sec to find absurd hyperbole:

Wow. Nose is so serene and floral. The most vivid florals one can imagine. Just insane. You really smell like the petals of red roses are being rubbed over and over the aroma just keeps delivering that perfect fresh initial aroma. Glorious. What a site Ravera is. Spice as well and glorious mid season cherry fruit. Wow this nose is a 9.8 knockout. Unreal palate with just terrific sweet fruit and energy. An abundance of sweet, velvety tannins and just unreal clarity of sweet mid to late season cherry fruit. Such purity. Such length. Long as the day is in mid July. Wow. A knockout. Stunning“

Although the Fass quote is absurd hyperbole, it is in a different style and is much more clunky and repetitious to boot.

 

[Keith Levenberg]

As the prof suggests, would you really read those two excerpts and surmise they come from the same author?

 

[mark e]

originally posted by Keith Levenberg:
As the prof suggests, would you really read those two excerpts and surmise they come from the same author?

No. OK, you are right. But they are both crap.

 

[Rahsaan]

Hyperbole aside, I had the 2016 Nervi-Conterno Gattinara yesterday and it was a very nice lively elegant wine. Is that not the general style for the new production?