G. Conterno ripeness

A

Alice F.

Alice Feiring
Last week tasted not only the 'new' Cerretta barberas from Conterno but at Polaner the 2008 Cascina Barbera and the 06 Barolo and even the 2002 Monfortino and all of them had this round plushness with uber sucker punching fruit. No edge, just ever wine presenting it's fruited self first.

I imagine that Roberto has been spending too much time in California. Now, 2002 was a long time ago. His father was alive, it was pre-California influence. But still I am majorly confused. Has anyone visited lately or can shed some light on this subject?
 
Levi, the 02 was delcious, but I never saw a 'plushness' like this before. Or maybe it was just a damned fruit day. Have you had the 08 barbera CF?
 
I guess this is a timely topic as the issue was discussed on various threads in the past month or so.

For me, I have tried both the 06 CF and the 02 Monfortino at the winery and found neither of them fruity and forward. Granted, the bottles were open for a few days I guess, so that might have contributed to the results. The 05 CF that I had at a tasting last year was somehow uninspiring. The 07 barbera CF was indeed fruity and heavy, and I preferred the leaner 08, but that is based solely on one try.
 
As far as 06 Cascina Francia, I think it is a reflection of 2006. Those are 2006 characteristics. It is a vintage that is all about broad and deep mouthfeel. It seems weird to give the CF points off for being reflective of the vintage, but I have heard people much more knowledgeable than me do so in regards to the 2006 CF, so there it is.

Paolo Conterno has never been a go to for me. I understand why other people like the wines. I met the owner recently and he seemed like a friendly guy. I also admire the importer's palate a lot.

I don't have enough recent experience with the Giacomo Conterno Barbera to really go on record about it.
 
The 2006 was really not purely vintage but certainly longer hang time. The tannins were not there. Even in youth, to have round and plush for a barolo, especially for a G. Conterno, is a bit odd.
 
I'd stand by what I said. I actually don't find 06 CF round or plush. Deeper than usual, yes. There are considerable tannins.
 
Had the 06 CF over the weekend. It was quite typical, and certainly neither plush nor fruit driven. The 2002 Monfortino the same day was surprisingly open considering what it had been two years ago.

I've been gravely disappointed with both the 05 CF and the 07 barbera.

At this point I see aberrations, not trends.

Levi, what have you not liked about P Conterno? I don't have much experience but the several times I've tasted the wines I've been impressed.Very much so in some cases. Slipped a bottle into a blind tasting of 04's last year and it wowed the group.
 
Yeah, I hear you Greg. I have come across several people who really like Paolo Conterno wines. The sommeliers at one of Manhattan's top Italian restaurants love those wines, for instance. And as I said, I have a lot of respect for the acuity of the importer. I think for me it comes down to a little less aromatic interest than I would like. This is not to say that I don't like the wines. I just don't love the wines. I think they are mostly about palate, rather than nose, and I am a nose man (as anyone who has seen the size of my nose knows about me).

Like if it is between Scarzello and Paolo Conterno, I'd rather have Scarzello, is all that I'm really saying.
 
I was also disappointed by the 05 CF, found it riper and less interesting than expected.

I also thought the '04 CF was more round and more ready than one typically expects from the producer. More typical than 05, but not what I expected. I liked the old school CF better - perhaps just a personal preference.

I also think Giacosa changed in 99+ as well; although, I know he was impacted by hail.

-mark
 
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