$100 and over
Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi D.O.C.G.
Pio Cesare have been making wines in their ancient cellars in central Alba for 141 years, from their vineyards based primarily in Barolo and Barbaresco. Today, fifth generation Federica Boffa with her cousin Cesare Benvenuto lead this prestigious estate, after the untimely passing of Pio Boffa in 2021 after 40 years as the face of Pio Cesare. The winegrowing is sustainable and the winemaking largely traditional resulting in wines of great elegance, structure and purity. The Pio Cesare family’s unique winemaking method stresses minimal intervention to produce wines of particularly supple flavour expression. A ceaseless devotion to the individuality of each of the region’s wines informs Pio Cesare's choices in the cellar: shorter maceration, separate lot fermentation, judicious selection for barrel and large cask aging, and bottling schedules determined by the ideal structure of each wine. This allows Pio Cesare to craft wines of varying weight, ageability and drinkability as determined by the vineyard rather than market fashion. Mosconi is thought to be one of the true “grand crus” of the commune of Monforte d’Alba, itself one the most prestigious areas within Barolo. Its soils and microclimates allow Nebbiolo to grow exceptionally well and produce styles of Barolo with great structure, incredibly unique and distinctive aromas, and big opulent tannins that are accessible and ripen, silky and rich. This is a single-vineyard Barolo from grapes sourced from the oldest Nebbiolo vines (1947 and 1971) in the family's famous Mosconi vineyard in Monforte d’Alba at an altitude of 390 metres. The Nebbiolo harvest began mid-October, and immediately showed all the hallmarks of a ‘classic’ year – excellent tannin ripeness and balance, foretelling wines of structure with great aging potential. The grapes are softly crushed and destemmed at the winery's ancient cellars in the centre of Alba. Fermented in two stainless steel tanks for ten days: the skin cap, frequently punched down, reached a maximum temperature of 86°F. Maceration on the skins for over 30 days. The fruit for the Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi comes from a small selection of the oldest Nebbiolo vines of the family-owned vineyards at the Mosconi, in Monforte d’Alba, one of the most prestigious areas of the entire Barolo region, very well known for great complexity, elegance and longevity. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks. Long skin contact maceration for 30 days at high temperatures. Then aged in big French and Slavonian oak “botti” for at least 2 years; for a small amount in barriques as well.
Fontanafredda Barolo DOCG Riserva
Established in 1858 by the first king of Italy, Fontanafredda is now the single largest contiguous wine estate in the Langhe region, with a fierce commitment to organic viticulture as well as woodland regeneration. The Platinum label represents the unique tradition of the Estate and more than 160 years of history. This is a serious, brooding Barolo, aged at the Estate for a minimum of 62 months to highlight the complexity, structure and richness of classic Barolo Reserva. Ruby red with the faintest hints of bricking on the edge. Intensely aromatic and complex, with black cherries, tobacco, dried mushrooms, nutmeg, and sweet balsamic notes all vying for attention. Supple, sweet fruit and round, powdery tannins on the palate. So much complexity with nothing out of place.
Poderi Aldo Conterno Cicala Bussia, Barolo
Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Colonnello, Barolo
Sottimano Basarin
Bruno Rocca Rabaja
Conterno Fantino Sori Ginestra Barolo
Conterno Fantino is an Italian wine producer based in Piedmont wine region in the northwest of the country. Located close to the village of Monforte d'AlbaIt, the estate was established in 1982 and today, produces wine from four key grape varieties: Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto and Chardonnay. The wine portfolio is led by a small collection of Barolo DOCG wines from the Ginestra and Mosconi cru vineyards. These wines are all fermented and macerated on their skins in stainless steel fermenters for approximately 8-15 days and spend 24 months in French oak barrels before aging in the bottle for 12 months. In the vineyard, grapes are hand-harvest to ensure only those of premium-quality are brought into the winery. The fermentation process occurs with indigenous yeasts, with a majority of wines also going thorough malolactic fermentation. French oak is sourced for barrel-aging.
Sottimano Cotta
Situated between Neive and the town of Barbaresco itself, Cotta beautifully combines the rich, fuller-bodied nature of Neive, with the tannic structure of Barbaresco. With a south-west exposure, it is usally the richest and roundest of the Sottimano crus, typically showing abundant red and black fruits with refined nuances of mint, leading to a palate of notable length. The tannins are there, but beautifully expressive and silky. A benchmark Barbaresco with a 15-20 year cellar life.