At a glance

Producer

Aldo Conterno

Region

Piedmont, Italy

Grape variety

Nebbiolo

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$120-$180

Tasting profile

Black cherry, tar, rose petal, and hints of earth and spice. Structured tannins limit immediate enjoyment.

Evolution: Over 5-10 years, tannins soften revealing complex layers of truffle, leather, dried herbs, and violets.

At peak: Harmonic balance of fruit, oak, and tertiary notes with velvety texture and lingering finish.

Structure

Acidity

High, vibrant but well balanced

Tannins

Firm, fine-grained, and persistent

Alcohol

14.0%-14.5%

Aging potential

20+ years, possibly longer in good cellaring conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2030 to 2050

Optimal window

2028 to 2053

Current status

Approaching early maturity

Current condition

Youthful with potential for further development; robust tannins need time to integrate

Barolo from a top producer like Aldo Conterno, from the classic Romirasco cru, gains complexity and softens tannins considerably after a decade or more, with ideal drinking window spanning at least two decades.

Food pairing

Perfect with rich meat dishes such as braised beef, game, truffle risotto, aged cheeses, and hearty stews.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — To soften young, assertive tannins and allow aromatic development.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

The producer employs low-intervention viticulture with respect for vineyard biodiversity, limited chemical inputs, and traditional methods. Vineyard work emphasizes soil health and manual harvesting.

While not certified organic or biodynamic, Aldo Conterno employs responsible sustainable viticulture emphasizing terroir expression and ecosystem balance. Improvements could be made in energy sourcing and packaging light-weighting to reduce carbon footprint further.