2019 Diego Conterno Barolo 750 ml

The name “Conterno” in Barolo is like the name “Ferrari” in Modena or “Gucci” in Florence—a shorthand for class and high quality.

So in 2000, when Diego Conterno left Conterno-Fantino—a collector-favorite juggernaut he cofounded in 1982—all of Piedmont took notice, especially when he brought 20 acres of prime vineyards along.

These days, Diego and his son Stefano craft some of our favorite wines in northwest Italy—and we’re not alone. Vinous’ Antonio Galloni called them “one of Piedmont's most exciting emerging estates” urging wine lovers looking for top traditional Barolo to “check out these wines before they become better known.”

The backbone of his 2019 Barolo is the legendary Ginestra cru. It’s one of the best vineyards in all of Barolo—“exceptional,” in Antonio Galloni’s words—and is known for profound wines with dark fruit, seductive spice, and classic Monforte longevity. Those grapes are rounded out with fruit from two other sites, including San Giovanni—which Galloni rates as a “Noteworthy” vineyard—and San Pietro, both in Monforte d’Alba. 

Diego Conterno trained under the legendary Beppe Colla during the heyday of Prunotto—one of the most important Barolo pioneers of the 20th century—and the techniques he learned there are on full display here. Hand-harvested and fermented solely with native yeasts, this monument to Monforte’s terroir is aged for a full 30 months not only in traditional botti, but in cement tanks as well, which are perfect for taming Barolo’s sometimes fierce tannins.

Anyone who loves brisk, old-school reds should be all over this one. We love it right now, especially with some old-school egg pasta with ragù, but it’s also got the stuffing and bones to develop for another decade-plus.