1964 Barolo Riserva Speciale

The 1964 Barolo Riserva Speciale from Poderi Aldo Conterno is absolutely divine. This predates the formation of the estate by five years, although as Antonio Galloni explained in his article here on Vinous, Aldo and Giovanni Conterno divided the family’s stocks and labeled bottles under their respective names. Deeper and slightly more turbid than the 1971 Petrus served alongside, it has an entrancing bouquet with rose petals and melted tar on a hot summer day, traces of Montecristo cigars and lavender emerging with time, and everything given a subtle lift by a touch of VA. The palate is very well balanced quite youthful for a 55-year-old Nebbiolo. And the finish? Actually, it was easy to see some resemblance between the Barolo and the aforementioned Pomerol, both being mellow and slightly floral, charming yet not powerful. I can envisage this giving another 10 to 15 years of drinking pleasure, subject to provenance.