2021 Diego Conterno Dolcetto, Piedmont

This Conterno family is related to the famous Conterno Fantino through father Diego, but unrelated when itcomes to wine style. Diego, his wife, Anna, and children, Stefano – a surveyor by training – and Lorenza – a trainee nurse-, have 7.5 hectares of vineyards located in the village of Monforte, two of which are in the ‘Grand Cru’ vineyard of Ginestra. The remaining 5.5 hectares are split between Nebbiolo for Barolo, Nebbiolo d’Alba, Barbera, Dolcetto and Nascetta planted in the full west facing Ferrione vineyard below the winery itself. Since 2014, all the vineyards have been converted to organic. While 2003 was their first vintage as ‘Diego Conterno’, producing all of 1300 bottles, 2005 witnessed 100% of the estate fruit being bottled. Father and son tend the vines and make classic Monforte Barolo: fermented in cement and aged in botte grande.

Wonderfully crunchy and lively with a nose of wild black berry fruit. The palate has intense rasping cherry fruit, lavender and liquorice, backed by soft tannins.