Poderi Aldo Conterno, `Romirasco` 2006 Barolo, , Italy

PRODUCER Aldo Conterno is one of the historic names of Italian . The Conterno family has been making wine in Monforte since at least the 1700s. Aldo's grandfather, Giovanni Conterno, founded his own winery in 1908 which was then run by his son, Giacomo. After a stint in the USA in the 1950s, Aldo worked with his older brother Giovanni in this winery until he decided to strike out on his own in 1969. Aldo's three sons now make the wine (Stefano) and run the business (Franco and Giacomo). Over the years, production has been deliberately reduced and the family now produces 80,000 bottles rather than the 200,000 produced in 1998.

VINEYARDS The Romirasco vineyard is high on the Bussia Soprana hill. It is 50-55 years old, facing south/south-west on clayey-calcareous soil, rich with calcium carbonate and iron. The higher concentration of iron and limestone in the soil gives a more powerful wine than Cicala. Conterno owns 100% of Romirasco which is their most important single-vineyard Barolo, making up 70% of the Gran Bussia blend.

VINTAGE The 2006 vintage marked a return to the classic Conterno style, producing rich, structured , similar to the 1989 vintage. Summer was cool and rainy at the start, followed by three weeks of very high temperatures in July. By contrast, August was characterised by sunny days alternating with light rain. September and October were perfect for ripening , with good diurnal temperature differences allowing the aromatic qualities in the grapes to develop well. Conterno did not suffer any hail damage in 2006. Green pruning was essential to maintain quality levels.

VINIFICATION Grape Varieties 100% Nebbiolo Maceration lasted 15 days and was followed by fermentation in Winemaker Stefano Conterno stainless steel at up to 32°C. The wine remained in tank for a further 3-5 months before ageing in 25 hectolitre Slavonian Closure Natural Cork casks for 28-30 months. Stefano believes that 25 hectolitre casks ABV 14.5% give the best ratio of oak to wine. The barrels are used for eight years at the most and scraped clean every two years. Only two Notes Sustainable casks of Romirasco were made.

TASTING NOTES Deep ruby in colour with garnet lights, the Romirasco is concentrated and intense, with perfumes of dark plums and smoky aniseed giving way to a powerful palate, with intense, minerally, tarry characters, plenty of ripe, silky tannins and a long, elegant finish.