2021 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia, Piedmont

A graceful and elegant nose of vibrant citrus, lemon leaves, licorice, dried cherries, sweet violets, camphor and balsamic. The palate is astonishing for the refinement of the tannins. It’s full in body, with exuberant acidity and a polished texture, f inishing with cherry stones and licorice. Drinkable now, but best from 2026

95 points jamessuckling.com

Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia is a classic and beautifully composed expression of Monforte d’Alba’s famed cru, delivering the elegance, depth, and structure that define the best of traditional Barolo. Made from estate-grown Nebbiolo in the heart of the Bussia vineyard, this wine blends power with finesse in a way that only the Conterno family seems to perfect vintage after vintage.

The fruit comes from mid-slope parcels where the soils are a mix of calcareous marl and clay, offering both mineral tension and richness. These vines sit just below the estate’s revered single vineyards—Romirasco, Cicala, and Colonnello—and often include younger vines or parcels that bring approachability while still maintaining serious character and ageing potential.

Winemaking at Aldo Conterno remains true to the estate’s heritage. Grapes are hand harvested, fermented in stainless steel with extended maceration, and aged in large Slavonian oak casks for two years before bottling. The result is a wine with structure and complexity but without heaviness or excess oak.

In the glass, Barolo Bussia shows aromas of dried cherry, rose petal, licorice, and truffle, with hints of sweet spice and leather. The palate is refined and balanced, with fine-grained tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, savoury finish that suggests both immediate pleasure and long-term reward.

This is a gateway into the world of Aldo Conterno’s masterful Barolo, textural, expressive, and deeply rooted in place.