Paolo Conterno Barolo Riva del Bric 2018  - Last Bottle

Paolo Conterno Barolo Riva del Bric 2018

$70

Retail

$50

Best Web

$36

Last Bottle

92 POINTS for this young Barolo Beast! In the hands of one of Barolo’s most legendary estates, and at the HANDS DOWN best price in the USA…money in the bank!

CONTERNO!!! It is a name I get to scream to the heavens far too rarely here on Last Bottle…but that all changes today! Apologies in advance for my supreme ebullience (I typically pride myself on my taciturn and calm demeanor…obviously), but…GUYS! GALS! Wine lovers and Barolo Barons and Baronessas! I’m talking about THE Paolo Conterno! Aaaaahhhh! This historic Ginestra estate is almost as old as Barolo itself – founded by Paolo in 1886!!! He’s credited with dividing the crazy steep hillsides of Barolo plot by plot, as determined by soil, climate, elevation, and exposure – ensuring that each parcel in his vineyard thrived with whatever grape deserved most to be planted there. This set the standard that thrust Barolo into the spotlight as the KING of Piemonte – and one of the most elegant, and powerful, long-lived, and complex wines to be had anywhere in the WORLD!!! To have all that…at UNDER $40 a bottle?!?!

MADNESS! Lunacy, and who knows – maybe just a wee bit of serendipity! Back in April, in the hallowed halls of Verona’s VinItaly, I walked – a good ten paces behind our lead buyer, Ryan, clad in his crimson, magenta, and marble white swirling tracksuit that evokes a 70s era Bowlero bowling ball, when the man – and fourth generation lead of Paolo Conterno – Giorgio stopped Ryan for a photo. Impeccably dressed in a suit, with a crisp Oxford collared shirt – it was a study in contrast to be certain. He smiled and laughed, a small crowd gathered, and before you knew it, we were tasting wines and talking deals! And that, children, is how I met your mother! Wait, no…but that is how we scored THIS at the BEST PRICE in the USA!!! YES!!!

100% Nebbiolo, from south/southeast sloping hillsides that can be as steep as a 35% grade, and right about 1000 feet in elevation in the heart of the Monforte d’Alba sub-region of Barolo. These clay-ey and calcareous soils give the classic “iron fist, velvet glove” aspect to this stunningly crafted Barolo, and at seven years since harvest – the drinking window is just starting to open! Roses and black tea, that classic aroma of fresh asphalt on a hot summer’s day, with flavors of rich, Luxardo cherries, and crushed black raspberries, with a good smack of strawberry jam and a whole heaping medley of spices! Leather and black pepper, smoldering sage, and charred rosemary, Turkish coffee, then dried orange peel, and this simply perfect balance of tannin and acidity that keeps this both monstrously powerful and delicately fresh. 92 POINTS is a good score – but I’m quite sure that time in bottle has this worthy of an upgrade! CONTERNO, good people! The first family of Barolo, and a wine worthy of collecting – at our absolutely SILLY price of just $36!!! Who could say if we’ll get the chance to snag this again – don’t miss out!    

** Our man in the retro jumpsuit was without question the star of VinItaly – necks were whipping around, paparazzi-esque scrambles for photos around every twist and turn, and people lining up to kiss the ring like NFL execs in Taylor Swift’s Super Bowl box. Only question is…how will Ryan top it this year? **


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92 points

“I like the bright, fruity character to this young Barolo. Plenty of red and black berries, together with citrus-tinged spice. Medium to full body with fine tannins that are sinking nicely into the wine, allowing the bright fruit to push through. Nice to taste now and will start to drink well from 2024.”

~James Suckling

It doesn’t get more old-school than this! Paolo Conterno has been in pursuit of perfection here in Barolo since the 1800s. A vision of the ideal expression of Nebbiolo, handed down over the generations and carefully pursued with equal parts passion and reverence.

Technical Details

  • Country: Italy
  • Region: Northern Italy
  • Appellation: Barolo
  • Varietal: Nebbiolo
  • Vineyard: Riva del Bric in the Monforte d’Alba area
  • Winemaker: Giorgio and Marisa Conterno
  • Aging/Cooperage: Traditional-style, in oak casks and for a period in bottle.
  • Alcohol: 11
  • Production: 1,666

About The Producer

“It all started way back in 1886, when Paolo Conterno founded the Casa della Ginestra, dedicated to the production of Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto wines. An indefatigable worker with a mind of great intuition, he devoted the most favourable parts of the Ginestra hillside to the growing of the grapes, subdividing them by type, exposure and terrain. Furthermore, he had the foresight to predict the existence of a market of connoisseurs of superior quality products, selling his own wine in wooden kegs and produced by himself in his own cellar. Paolo was succeeded by his son Carlo and his wife Giuseppina. The company was subsequently run by Paolo and Caterina Conterno and today the company is managed by their son Giorgio.”

Pairing Suggestions

Bavette steak with olive oil and sea salt

$70

Retail

$50

Best Web

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