Giacomo Conterno is in Monforte d'Alba, and it makes Barolo in a strictly traditional way. Giacomo Conterno was one of the first small producers to bottle his own Barolo, in the 1920s, when most of it was still sold in cask. After his father died in 1934 he created Monfortino, a Barolo meant to age for decades, named for the village.
For years the family bought its grapes. That ended in 1974, when his son Giovanni bought the Cascina Francia vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba, and the first wine from it was the 1978. Giovanni's son Roberto has run the estate since 2004 and has added the Cerretta and Arione vineyards, both in Serralunga.
Monfortino is made only in exceptional years. It ferments on its skins for up to five weeks and ages seven years in large casks. In the hail-hit 2002 vintage the family made Monfortino and no Cascina Francia, the first time that had happened.
Not tasted yet
I haven't reviewed a wine from Giacomo Conterno yet. They're on my Top 100 list, which is built from awards.