2019 Conterno Fantino Barolo Vigna del Gris
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Quite robust and powerful on first nose, the 2019 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris needs more time in bottle to flesh out and move past this current youthful phase. This wine is definitely poised to give more to those who wait. It opens to a dark garnet hue and ripe aromas of cherry skin, plum, rose and orange peel. Within the span of a few minutes, it starts to show additional spice and nutmeg. The tannins are still grippy in this 9,100-bottle release.
Critic scores
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Notes of red berries, crushed herbs and orange blossom with hints of lilac and wet stones. Medium- to full-bodied. Meaty and mouth-filling with polished tannins that are a little chewy at the end. Refined and sleek. Hints of bitter spices in the finish. Try after 2026.
The 2019 Barolo Ginestra Vigna del Gris is another terrific wine from Conterno-Fantino. Crushed flowers, cedar, pipe tobacco, mint, dried flowers and worn-in leather give the 2019 striking aromatic presence. Here, too, Fabio Conterno has done a terrific job in taming the Monforte tannins. The Gris never has the completeness of the other crus, but in 2019 it is positively striking. I would drink this ahead of the other 2019s.
Vineyard faces towards Cascina Francia. Eastern exposition and elevation of 304 m. Lustrous, youthful ruby. Beautiful, firm, perfumed nose with a savoury, spicy note from the oak. Succulent, fresh, intense raspberry fruit with a whisper of oak. Fine tannins that grow in stature on the finish. Succulent fruit finish with tannic bite. (WS)