TN: 2012 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d'Alba Cerretta (Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba)

B_Buzzini · January 9, 2015, 12:35am

2012 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cerretta - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d’Alba (1/8/2015)
BIG structure here….a lighter darkness than most Barbera…almost like a darker Barolo……laser beam focus of wild berries, cherry, raspberry puree, sweet prunes……solid and intense young structure…dry spicy tannins, crushed rocks, smoke, graphite, citrus acidity……but also coats the palate with a smoothness…rose flowers, tar, licorice, dried cherry. Really tasty sipper here….complexing Barbera…that should age even. Quality! (93 pts.)

Gary_York · January 9, 2015, 4:27am

I have a case in the back of the Enoteca. I wanted to give it some time to settle. Thanks for the note. And no mention of oak, which is a good thing.

B_Buzzini · January 9, 2015, 4:54pm

One thing……this cork is densest firmest cork I have ever encountered……had a very hard time plunging my estate opener into it! Almost broke the lever!

I guess their corks are made to age as well?

John_Morris · January 9, 2015, 4:58pm

Have they ever used barriques on the barberas?

david_li · January 9, 2015, 5:47pm

I also liked this wine. Love the red fruits and spices.
I always like G. Conterno’s barera relatively young…not sure how they will age.

John_Morris · January 9, 2015, 8:03pm

I’ve aged several over the years and they hold up but lose much of the fruit that makes them so appealing young. I have yet to have one I liked better with 5-10 years of age than I did young.

Gary_York · January 10, 2015, 6:15am

I am pretty sure they use only large oak. But I am always worried about oak creeping into Barbera. A little is fine, but I was also thinking that maybe they had to buy new barrels for the extra amount of wine. Probably just me being stupid. Roberto seems to know a thing or two about wine. Not sure if I want to taste it solo or with other Barberas.

B_Buzzini · September 18, 2015, 2:42am

I’d drink this wine…A….D….L…!!! While waiting on the Monfo!

John_Morris · September 18, 2015, 3:20am

I take back what I said. Shortly after this posting, I opened the 2005 Cascina Francia Barbera and it was massively pleasurable. Not terribly complex – still fairly primary and grapy – but softer and just chuggable that it was young. This may be one of those cases where the warmer, softer vintages favor barbera over nebbiolo. I’ve got a 2006 on deck at home to try now.

At $30-$35, I was a buyer, but not at $50.

Bob_Hughes · September 18, 2015, 8:52pm

John, please post a note when you check out the '06. I have never liked this vintage - IMO, Barbera on steroids.

But I still have a couple bottles left, so I’d be curious to see your take.

James_Dennis · September 19, 2015, 2:53am

We were fortunate enough to get a tour in August and tried some of the Barbera out of the huge wooden casks. I don’t recall seeing any smaller barrels anywhere. Not that they don’t have them somewhere but they gave us a pretty thorough tour. One of the most amazing wineries I’ve ever seen. Immaculate and with tons of space. We were told that when the grapes from the recent purchase next to Cascina Francia comes on line they will use up much of the existing winery but had no plans for purchases of more vines or new space.