2012 Aldo Conterno 'Granbussia' Barolo
Aldo Conterno Barolo Reserve Granbussia is produced by blending grapes from the oldest vines, from the Romirasco, Cicala, and Colonnello, before fermentation starts, in the following percentages respectively: 70% - 15% - 15%. The Granbussia remains in the cellar for at least 9 years before commercialization. It is produced exclusively in the best years and in limited quantities.
The late Aldo Conterno, a legend of Piedmont’s Langhe region, could have very easily made his mark somewhere altogether different. Aldo immigrated to the United States in 1954, and once planned to start a winery with his uncle in the Napa Valley. Uncle Sam came knocking, however, and Aldo served honorably in South Korea for two years as a Specialist in the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge he returned to San Francisco and, finding that his uncle had abandoned the winery venture, Aldo returned to Piedmont. The seeds of a great domaine were thus sown, in the little township of Bussia. Aldo’s time in America awakened an entrepreneurial fire in him, and just over 10 years after his return, he left his father Giacomo Conterno’s cantina, purchased the Favot farm, and founded Podere Aldo Conterno in 1969. Sadly, Aldo passed away in 2012, and today the farm and winery in Bussia township, Monforte d’Alba is run by his three sons: Franco, Stefano and Giacomo. Neither resolutely traditional nor excessively modern, these are expressive, vivid, concentrated wines that will reward long cellaring. Quite simply, these wines demonstrate just how good Barolo—and thus Italian wine—can get. They are indispensable to the serious connoisseur’s cellar.