1971 Giacomo Conterno, Barolo, Monfortino Riserva [Marked Label]

1971 Conterno - Hedonist's Gazette - July 2001-30th Anniversary of the 1971 Barolo/Barbaresco's: Aldo Conterno's superb, opulent 1971 Barolo Gran Bussia offered notes of minerals, cedar, tobacco, mushrooms, and plenty of red fruits. The 1971 Marcarini Barolo Brunate Riserva was less aromatic, but dense, sweet, and not yet close to full maturity. The perfect 1971 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino is still an adolescent in terms of its development. A spectacular nose of red and black fruits, minerals, tobacco, spice, and black tea is to die for. In the mouth, it is full-bodied, vigorous, muscular, and rich, but perfectly balanced. This 1971 tastes like an 8-10 year old wine, and appears to have another twenty years of life. I was surprised by the strong showing of the 1971 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano Riserva. At one time it was a virtually perfect wine, but I never thought it would have more than 25 years of aging potential. Absolutely spectacular, it was more open-knit and expansive, without the weight of the Monfortino, with a gorgeous perfume as well as a seamless palate impression. If anyone doubts that Nebbiolo is Italy's Pinot Noir, taste this wine.