Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello 2017

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Poderi Aldo Conterno
Barolo Colonnello 2017

Vintage : 2017
Country : Italy
Region : Piedmont (Barolo DOCG)
Subregion
Type : Red
Style Deep Full Bodied
Format : 75cl
Alcohol : 14,5°
Grappes : 100% Nebbiolo

The Colonnello vineyard is one of Conterno's best plots, producing a Barolo with aromas of aniseed and roses, ripe plums giving way to an elegant, mineral character on the palate.

Experts		Score	Vintage
JS	James Suckling	97	2017
WS	Wine Spectator	94	2017
RP	Robert Parker	94	2017
WE	Wine Enthusiast	94	2017
VN	Vinous (Antonio Galloni)	94	2016
DCT	Decanter	92	2015

More information on wine critics and ratings

Description
Reviews

This wine is ruby garnet in colour with an intensely perfumed nose characteristic of this vineyard. Aromas of aniseed, cherries, roses and ripe plums give way to an elegant, mineral character on the palate. The tannins are sweet, concentrated and powerful, with a hint of cinnamon to lift the tightly-packed, smoky fruit. Long and perfumed to the end, it shows liquorice and rose petal notes on the finish.

Vineyards:

Based in the village of Monforte d'Alba, in the heart of Barolo, the Conterno family's 25 hectares of vineyard are situated almost exclusively on the hill of Bussia, one of the most sought after sites in the area. The Colonnello vineyard is one of their best vineyards.

Vinification:

The grapes were fermented in stainless-steel tanks at temperatures of up to 32°C. Maceration lasted 30 days. The wine remained in stainless steel for four to five months and then it was transferred to oak casks where it aged for 28 months before bottling.

James Suckling (JS) : 97 Points (2017)

Aromas of dried flowers, dried strawberries, lavender, and hazelnuts. Some roses, too. Full-bodied, chewy and powerful, yet the tannins are polished and very energetic. Lots of them, yet with gorgeous roundness and tension. Tight at the end, suggesting very serious aging potential. Try after 2025.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 94 Points (2017)

Offering plum, cherry, iron, eucalyptus and black pepper aromas and flavors, this broad red has absorbed the oak treatment pretty well already, with a dense matrix of tannins and lively acidity. Balanced and long, ending with elements of mineral and spice. Best from 2025 through 2043.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94 Points (2017)

The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Colonnello shows good focus, structure and a sharper character that is often the distinguishing factor in this wine. The bouquet is redolent of dark fruit and plum, but it also shows a solid framing of iron ore and dark stony mineral. These give the wine greater lift and contoured edges. This is not the first time that Colonnello is my favorite wine in this lineup, and I suspect it won't be the last.Rating: 94+

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 94 Points (2017)

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 94 Points (2016)

The 2016 Barolo Colonnello is a dark, bold, lush wine full of character. A blast of macerated black cherry, spice, leather, tobacco and menthol infuses the 2016 with striking depth. Resonant and ample, with notable character, the Colonnello is gorgeous in this tasting. In fact, it's one of the finest Barolos I have tasted from the Conterno brothers in a number of years. The substantial finish is a thing of beauty.

Decanter (DCT) : 92 Points (2015)

In contrast to Conterno's Romirasco and Cicala bottlings, south-facing Colonnello delivers slightly more forward and accessible wines. Rose aromas dominate the ripe and piquant nose. It's broad and generous in the mouth, with bold, assertive tannins. It's a harmonious style that doesn't show exceptional acidity but is nonetheless long and stylish.