About the Wine

Conterno is one of the few producers in Barolo who have helped define and shape the quality of one of Italy's finest regions. The Estate's flagship wine, Granbussia, has become the standard for top-flight Barolo. Antonio Galloni has called the 1989 Granbussia, "one of the all-time great Barolo's." while James Suckling compared the 2005 vintage to "young Romanée-Conti." Critics agree Aldo Conterno is not only one of Italy's finest producers but one of the greatest wine-producing estates in the world! Here's your opportunity to discover one of the world's most talented wine-producing families. 

The Aldo Conterno winery is situated in Bussia of Monforte d'Alba, in the heart of the Barolo. The estate produces world-class wines from the 50 acres of estate-owned vines that surrounding the property. Elevated at 350-400 meters above sea level and caressed by the gentle southern and southwestern winds, the soil reveals its intricate composition of clayey marls and limestone, cloaked in layers of sand, imparting a distinctive depth to the grapes.

Aldo Conterno belongs to an elite group of historical Barolo producers who have shaped the history of winemaking in the Langhe. The story of Aldo Conterno starts in the 19th century when Aldo's forefathers took over a small family farm and winery in Monforte d’Alba. The Conterno family increased the production and began exporting wine. The Conterno's felt the need to create a superior Barolo, produced exclusively in the best vintages, and in the 1920s, the first Barolo Riserva was bottled. At the end of the ’30s, the business was handed over to son Giacomo, who continued his father’s tradition with commitment and foresight, while teaching the business to his sons Giovanni and Aldo.

Aldo, inspired by the modernist techniques of Angelo Gaja, favored the use small french barriques along with shorter maceration times and earlier pressing of the skins. This approach created wines that are powerfully structured with a greater depth of fruit complimented by a hint of vanilla and spice. 

The essential resource the Wine Atlas of the Langhe writes: “Gran Bussia is universally acknowledged as one of the finest interpretations of Barolo. Created in 1970 from a selection of the estate’s best grapes, Gran Bussia – released only in the best vintages – has shown how it is possible to achieve a perfect marriage of aromas and flavor with unhurried cellaring. Recent tastings of all the vintages have confirmed the staying power of the wine, which exalts the majestic nose of Nebbiolo while offering a palate that becomes increasingly velvety with the passing years.”

This wine mimics Conterno's house style. The wines are neither clarified nor filtered. They are pure, exuberant expressions of the grape.

Aging: 18 months in oak barrels.

Tasting Notes: Red Wine. 100% Nebbiolo.
See critical reviews for detailed tasting notes.

Reviews