A Historic Moment for Conterno
2010 G. Conterno Barolo Cerretta Magnum
"Tons of pure, unbridled energy... The Cerretta is shaping up to be magical." -Antonio Galloni
Since 1978, Conterno has been associated with the Cascina Francia vineyard. That's until 2008 when Conterno purchased the Cerretta vineyard in Serralunga.
After much waiting, Cerretta has finally arrived. 2010 marks the first vintage where Cerretta carries the Barolo designation. Out of Conterno's 3ha holdings in Cerretta, only one-third of it is planted with Nebbiolo. When you factor that with the low yielding 2010 vintage and the fact that Cerretta was only bottled in magnums, how limited it is comes into clear focus.
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When it comes to traditional Barolo, Roberto Conterno turns out wines that may very well be without peer. He is one of the world's great winemakers, known for unyielding standards and an obsessive commitment to quality.
It wasn't until the 2010 vintage that Conterno thought that the Cerretta vineyard was worthy of the Barolo label. When I tasted Cerretta at the estate, it was mind-blowing - destined to be legendary. We probably don't have to dwell on how amazing the 2010 vintage is in Barolo. Everything points to it being the vintage of a lifetime - the balance, length, purity and concentration. The wines are simply stunning.
It's impossible not to compare Cerretta to Cascina Francia. Cerretta is the powerhouse of the two. If Cascina Francia often shows an elegant mineral core, Cerretta carries a raw power that's thrilling. There's a nearly overwhelming and kaleidoscopic complexity with an underlying grip that's unrelenting. Yet, there's something about how Cerretta carries all of this that comes across with a certain amount of delicacy and loads of refinement.
Conterno produces some of the most age-worthy reds in existence. In a vintage like 2010, there's every reason to expect Cerretta to benefit from three decades or more in the cellar. There's little doubt that Conterno had a similar suspicion when he bottled it in mags.
This much is for sure: this is a historic moment for one of the greatest wine estates in the world.
To order, reply to offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine and Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits
Compare at up to "A much more overt, powerful wine, the 2010 Barolo Cerretta races across the palate with explosive fruit and tons of pure, unbridled energy. The Cerretta is an immediate, voluptuous wine with so much fruit that the tannins of the vintage are nearly buried. It will be fascinating to see how Conterno’s 2010s age. The Cerretta is shaping up to be magical. Bottled only in magnums."