From an outstanding vintage for Barolo lovers highlighting the "nuance, subtlety and structure of Nebbiolo" according to Vinous' Antonio Galloni, the elegant 93 pt. 2019 Paolo Conterno Barolo Riva del Bric is an exceptional Cru Barolo revealing beautifully aromatic, concentrated Nebbiolo fruit with fine, supple tannins on a lengthy and refined finish, promising a decade or more of pleasurable drinking and offered at market-best pricing that makes it easy for Barolo fans and collectors to stash away by the case.
Founded in the late 19th century by Paolo Conterno, the estate originally known as Casa della Ginestra was one of the pioneering producers in Barolo, among the first to sub-divide vineyards according to exposure and terrain and selling its wines directly to consumers instead of through the established négociant network. Now run by fourth-generation proprietor Giorgio Conterno, the estate consists of ten hectares of vineyards in the Ginestra cru just north of the village of Monforte d'Alba, known for producing Barolo wines that "always show an extra degree of richness and dark fruit" according to Wine Advocate's Monica Larner and called "one of the finest vineyards in Italy" by Galloni. Sourced from a section of Ginestra planted with younger vines, Riva del Bric is a designation trademarked by the historic estate, the vines averaging 25 years of age and planted in heavy calcareous clay and blue marl soils on a steep slope at 300 to 350 meters elevation. Employing shorter macerations of the hand-harvested Nebbiolo grapes to make it more immediately accessible, Conterno aged the impeccably balanced 2019 for 30 to 36 months in large French oak casks with an additional 6-12 months in bottle before release, revealing fresh and intensely aromatic fruit with distinctive minerality and vibrant acidity and yielding an approachable, classically styled Barolo just entering its 15-year window of evolution.
Describing the Barolo wines from the exceptional 2019 vintage as promising "long and glorious cellar aging,"Larner declared, "My cellar is stocked, how about yours?" This offer on the 2019 Paolo Conterno Barolo Riva del Bric is a value-packed opportunity for collectors to stock up on a rare Barolo bargain by the case and enjoy the nuanced complexity of expertly crafted, terroir-expressive Nebbiolo for decades to come.
Made with fruit from some of the estate's younger Nebbiolo vines (that average 25 years old today), the Paolo Conterno 2019 Barolo Riva del Bric shows a very pretty bouquet with good intensity. You will have no problem deciphering the varietal tones of wild cherry, blue flower, blood orange and iron ore. The mouthfeel is long and polished (and the alcohol content is one degree lower, at 14.5%, compared to the Ginestra).
93 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Aug 2023)
Brooding and powerful in its character, the 2019 Barolo Riva del Bric pours a deer garnet/ruby, with fleshy black cherry, sweet saddle leather, and balsamic. A full-bodied Barolo. It expands through the palate, with ripe tannins, iron-rich earth, and warmth throughout. Though it would appeal to more modern-slanting palates, it is not flashy from oak makeup but rather leans into the ripeness of fruit and broadness in structure and is well-balanced. Drink 2025-2037.
93 points, Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck (May 2023)
Notes of chocolate cherries, dried strawberries, black licorice, cocoa and moist earth. Firm and taut with a full body and chalky texture. Dry and a little austere at the end with a tight, spicy finish. Better after 2026.
92 points, James Suckling (Oct 2023)
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