2020 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello, Piedmont

Bright garnet color and deep, intense nose of watermelon, mint, fresh violets and stony minerality. The palate is full of sucrosity with a full body, lifted acidity and firm velvety tannins of rare grace for a wine with this power. Perfectly integrate oak and a stern finish as expected from a Barolo made for the long haul. Try from 2027.

98 points jamessuckling.com Apr 2024

Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello is a refined and deeply expressive single-vineyard Nebbiolo from the historic Bussia cru in Monforte d’Alba. Sourced from the Colonnello vineyard, one of the estate’s most treasured plots, this wine offers a more delicate and perfumed take on Barolo while still delivering the structure and depth that define the Aldo Conterno style.

Planted at high elevation on calcareous marl soils, Colonnello produces fruit with vibrant aromatics, fine tannins, and a graceful, lingering finish. The site enjoys a slightly cooler microclimate than Romirasco or Cicala, which translates to a wine that’s more floral and elegant without losing its core of power.

The late Aldo Conterno was instrumental in putting Monforte d’Alba on the global fine wine map, and his sons Giacomo, Franco, and Stefano continue to honour that legacy through precise, thoughtful winemaking. Fermentation for Colonnello takes place in stainless steel with extended maceration, followed by more than two years of ageing in large Slavonian oak casks to preserve the purity and transparency of the vineyard.

In the glass, Colonnello opens with aromas of red cherry, rose petal, dried herbs, and sweet spice. The palate is textured and nuanced, showing wild strawberry, orange peel, and subtle earthy notes wrapped in firm but refined tannins. There's a lift and precision here that makes it especially approachable in youth, yet it's built to evolve beautifully over time.

Aldo Conterno’s Colonnello is an exceptional expression of Barolo's more graceful side—a wine that bridges power with poise, ideal for cellaring or long, contemplative meals.