Jay Kline

9.4

Opened a few hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of an hour alongside the 1999 Bartolo. The wine pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, dried roses, tar, truffle, old wood, dried green herbs, and dry gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. Lovely stuff. Compared to the ‘99, this leans a touch more on the elegant side. Delicious with controfiletto di wagyu Drink now with patience through 2048. — 4 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Bright Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, spices, oak and floral notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and sweet plum with notes of herb pepper, tobacco, cedar and cacao. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins, ending with oak and earthy notes. Needs a few more years in the bottle! — 21 days ago

David Carter

9.0

W and A & J liked too. Recommended by waiter at Primo. So well balanced. Not too heavy. We kicked the bottle easily haha over a 2 hr great meal. — 11 days ago

Conrad Green

9.3

plush plummy fruit. Rounded with black cherry and soft precision. Lovely — a day ago

with Paul and Ara

Jay Kline

9.6

Conterno’s “Monfortino” Barolo Riserva (early vintages like this one were labeled as “Stravecchia” and “Extra Barolo”) practically defined the Riserva style. In many ways, one could make the arguement that it blazed the trail for Barolo’s reputation as being the age-worthy wine it is today. Back in the early days, Monfortino was a blend of purchased fruit. Control of Cascina Francia, in Serralunga d’Alba, did not come until the late 1970’s. I can’t be sure but I believe the fruit used to be sourced from Monforte d’Alba and specifically from Le Coste, Bussia and possibly others.

This bottle was opened several hours prior to service. The 1941 Monfortino pours a pale garnet/rust color with significant rim variation and a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears and light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of Maraschino cherry, menthol, Tootsie Roll, espresso macchiato, walnut, and truffle. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Sublime. Getting to experience an 80+ year old wine is always a special treat. Getting to experience a Barolo from World War II, during one of the darkest periods in Italy’s past, is extraordinary. Getting to experience early Monfortino (pre-estate) made by Giacomo himself…well, it is drinking history. I nearly got emotional. While it’s clearly is showing its age, the 1941 shows its class and has some impressive moves. We delighted as it danced across the palate, proving that it still has stories to tell. Drink now if you ever see a bottle. — 16 days ago

Vino Joe

9.7

Based on other reviews here I decided to open, decant and wait 2 hours. Great advice! This was electric after 2+ hours. Pungent, powerful and delicious! Rich deep dark color and strong earth and mature cherry notes. Still active and pacing in the glass. This was the best bottle of the ‘16 so far for me. Definitely in its enjoyment zone. — 11 days ago

Conrad Green

9.3

violet and rich dark fruit. Tobacco and soft mild tannins — a day ago

with Paul and Ara

Dave

9.3

Wishing all my Delectable friends a very merry Christmas Eve!
Listening to Paul Desmond — 12 days ago

Danny O'Brien

9.2

Raspberry, roses & tar on the nose, grippy tannins and a slight meatiness on the palate. Fruit is present but ever so slightly lacking for me, I wish it translated from the nose to the palate just a touch more. Overall very nice and enjoyable! — 22 days ago

Will Stanley

9.2

Second time trying this from the 2015 vintage, first enjoyed five years ago. This was my Christmas Day wine, when it’s always hard to really appreciate or concentrate on a wine what with everything else going on! I ordinarily go for familiar favourites from the Rhône, or aged Bordeaux. Anyway, this Brunello was still super macho, austere and in need of either more time in bottle or some very rustic, Tuscan food. Or both! — 4 days ago