Paolo Conterno
Paolo Conterno is situated in the historic Ginestra cru, a plot with calcareous and clay-heavy soil and relatively high altitude producing dark coloured and intensely aromatic wine. The estate owns around 24 acres of vineyard, with vines planted between 980 and 1150 feet above sea level. The vineyards face south and southeast on slopes that give them optimum sun exposure, with the south-facing vines contributing the the Ginestra and Ginestra Riserva. The the south-easterly section of the vineyard goes into the early-drinking elegant Riva del Bric. Originally founded as Casa della Ginestra in 1886, by Paolo Conterno himself, his descendent Giorgio Conterno is the current winemaker here, implementing extended macerations and long-term aging in large French Allier oak casks to produce wine that ages brilliantly long-term.

Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Piedmont | 2 | 92 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£720.04 |
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Wine Spectator (92)Big, mouthpuckering Barolo. Give it time in the bottle to mellow. Aromas of plums, coffee and spices follow through to a full-bodied palate, with thick and chewy tannins and a long, long spicy finish. Best after 2005. 1,240 cases made. -JS |
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Piedmont | 1 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£99.85 |
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Wine Advocate (95)The 2013 Barolo Ginestra shows grace and purity, with significant power at the back that is partially fueled by the wine's well-integrated alcohol (recorded at 15%). The wine's texture is compact, and the flavor knitting is tight and carefully detailed. These qualities bode very well for the future evolution of this vintage that will undoubtedly soften and flesh out with more time in the bottle. |
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Piedmont | 10 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£319.49 |
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Vinous (95)The 2015 Barolo Ginestra opens with scents of raspberry, orange peel, star anise and cinnamon. Powerful and wiry, the 2015 expresses the essence of Ginestra, with that combination of aromatic intensity and nervous energy that is such a signature. I would cellar it for a few years, as the tannins are a bit edgy at this stage. Alternatively, a few hours of air will to the trick. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£289.24 |
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Vinous (93)The 2016 Barolo Ginestra shows all of the aromatic and flavor intrigue that is such a signature of this site. Pine, menthol, licorice, orange peel, mint and macerated red cherry all flesh out effortlessly. Mid-weight structure and a good bit of inner sweetness gives the 2016 a feeling of accessibility, until the firm Ginestra tannins kick in. Time in the glass brings out a nice kick of textural breadth. The 2016 is such a pretty wine. I would cellar it for a few years, though. |
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Piedmont | 20 | 94 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£323.09 |
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Wine Advocate (94)The 2017 Barolo Ginestra shows a fine and delicate bouquet with aromas of wild rose and crushed flowers that are not common in this hot and dry vintage. The Ginestra vineyard in Monforte d'Alba maintains its character despite the unpredictable swings of this unruly growing season. The wine builds considerably more power in the palate, where it shows tight tannins and a 15% alcohol content. The bouquet shows balance, but this hearty vintage punches strongest in terms of mouthfeel. Some 16,000 bottles were made. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£240.04 |
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James Suckling (97)This is fabulous Barolo with burnt orange, blackberry, meat, earth, and fresh herb. Full-bodied, round and velvety. So flavorful and crazy. Drink now. Why wait? But it will age wonderfully. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 97 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£679.49 |
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Wine Advocate (97)Wow, this is really quite a wine. The 2010 Barolo Riserva Ginestra is guided by three lucky stars: First, it is made by an excellent producer. Second, it comes from an excellent vintage. And third, it comes from an excellent vineyard site. This is a stunning achievement that is teeming with life, intensity, elegance, pedigree and sheer excitement. The bouquet achieves impressive balance with fruit, spice, mineral and tertiary tones that are all played forward with equal intensity. There is a spot of sweetness on the close (with 15% alcohol) that adds to the volume and fullness of the mouthfeel. This wine merits a special place at the back of your cellar where it can age undisturbed for the next decade or two. Only 4,000 bottles exist. |
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Piedmont | 18 | 96 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£815.09 |
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Wine Advocate (96)The 2011 Barolo Ginestra Riserva is every bit as special as the handsome wooden cases in which this collection is sold, along with a newly redesigned label. It's a gorgeous vintage, very full and generous, whose warmer temperatures are reflected in lots of dark, black, rich and ripe penetrating fruit. The Riserva's texture really emerges as unique because it is woven tightly and dense, yet there is ample softness and richness here. It is another Piedmont gem for your cellar. |
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Piedmont | 20 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£847.24 |
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Vinous (94)The 2012 Barolo Ginestra Riserva is gorgeous. Fresh, aromatic and beautifully lifted, the 2012 is all grace. Ginestra Barolos are often brawny and powerful. Conterno's 2012 stands out for its sensuality, finesse and total sense of harmony. Bright acids perk up a core of sweet red berry fruit as the 2012 gradually reveals its many charms. |
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Piedmont | 20 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£887.09 |
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Wine Advocate (95)Reviewed by Monica Larner Issue Date 17th Jun 2021 Source June 2021 Week 3, The Wine Advocate The headline wine from Paolo Conterno is the beautifully packaged 2013 Barolo Ginestra Riserva. I always appreciate the house style of this winery located in the heart of the Ginestra cru at the back side of Monforte d'Alba and looking toward Serralunga d'Alba. These wines always show an extra degree of richness and dark fruit. The delivery is broad and rich instead of vertical and sharp, and the wine wraps evenly over the palate. This expression from the cool 2013 vintage shows good structure, freshness, integrated tannins and a long succession of dark fruits. This was a release of some 4,000 bottles. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 92 (WS) |
In Bond
£584.00 |
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Wine Spectator (92)Big, mouthpuckering Barolo. Give it time in the bottle to mellow. Aromas of plums, coffee and spices follow through to a full-bodied palate, with thick and chewy tannins and a long, long spicy finish. Best after 2005. 1,240 cases made. -JS |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
£80.00 |
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Wine Advocate (95)The 2013 Barolo Ginestra shows grace and purity, with significant power at the back that is partially fueled by the wine's well-integrated alcohol (recorded at 15%). The wine's texture is compact, and the flavor knitting is tight and carefully detailed. These qualities bode very well for the future evolution of this vintage that will undoubtedly soften and flesh out with more time in the bottle. |
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|
Piedmont | 10 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£247.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 2015 Barolo Ginestra opens with scents of raspberry, orange peel, star anise and cinnamon. Powerful and wiry, the 2015 expresses the essence of Ginestra, with that combination of aromatic intensity and nervous energy that is such a signature. I would cellar it for a few years, as the tannins are a bit edgy at this stage. Alternatively, a few hours of air will to the trick. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
£225.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2016 Barolo Ginestra shows all of the aromatic and flavor intrigue that is such a signature of this site. Pine, menthol, licorice, orange peel, mint and macerated red cherry all flesh out effortlessly. Mid-weight structure and a good bit of inner sweetness gives the 2016 a feeling of accessibility, until the firm Ginestra tannins kick in. Time in the glass brings out a nice kick of textural breadth. The 2016 is such a pretty wine. I would cellar it for a few years, though. |
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|
Piedmont | 20 | 94 (WA) |
In Bond
£250.00 |
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Wine Advocate (94)The 2017 Barolo Ginestra shows a fine and delicate bouquet with aromas of wild rose and crushed flowers that are not common in this hot and dry vintage. The Ginestra vineyard in Monforte d'Alba maintains its character despite the unpredictable swings of this unruly growing season. The wine builds considerably more power in the palate, where it shows tight tannins and a 15% alcohol content. The bouquet shows balance, but this hearty vintage punches strongest in terms of mouthfeel. Some 16,000 bottles were made. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£184.00 |
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James Suckling (97)This is fabulous Barolo with burnt orange, blackberry, meat, earth, and fresh herb. Full-bodied, round and velvety. So flavorful and crazy. Drink now. Why wait? But it will age wonderfully. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 97 (WA) |
In Bond
£547.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (97)Wow, this is really quite a wine. The 2010 Barolo Riserva Ginestra is guided by three lucky stars: First, it is made by an excellent producer. Second, it comes from an excellent vintage. And third, it comes from an excellent vineyard site. This is a stunning achievement that is teeming with life, intensity, elegance, pedigree and sheer excitement. The bouquet achieves impressive balance with fruit, spice, mineral and tertiary tones that are all played forward with equal intensity. There is a spot of sweetness on the close (with 15% alcohol) that adds to the volume and fullness of the mouthfeel. This wine merits a special place at the back of your cellar where it can age undisturbed for the next decade or two. Only 4,000 bottles exist. |
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|
Piedmont | 18 | 96 (WA) |
In Bond
£660.00 |
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Wine Advocate (96)The 2011 Barolo Ginestra Riserva is every bit as special as the handsome wooden cases in which this collection is sold, along with a newly redesigned label. It's a gorgeous vintage, very full and generous, whose warmer temperatures are reflected in lots of dark, black, rich and ripe penetrating fruit. The Riserva's texture really emerges as unique because it is woven tightly and dense, yet there is ample softness and richness here. It is another Piedmont gem for your cellar. |
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|
Piedmont | 20 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£690.00 |
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Vinous (94)The 2012 Barolo Ginestra Riserva is gorgeous. Fresh, aromatic and beautifully lifted, the 2012 is all grace. Ginestra Barolos are often brawny and powerful. Conterno's 2012 stands out for its sensuality, finesse and total sense of harmony. Bright acids perk up a core of sweet red berry fruit as the 2012 gradually reveals its many charms. |
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|
Piedmont | 20 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
£720.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95)Reviewed by Monica Larner Issue Date 17th Jun 2021 Source June 2021 Week 3, The Wine Advocate The headline wine from Paolo Conterno is the beautifully packaged 2013 Barolo Ginestra Riserva. I always appreciate the house style of this winery located in the heart of the Ginestra cru at the back side of Monforte d'Alba and looking toward Serralunga d'Alba. These wines always show an extra degree of richness and dark fruit. The delivery is broad and rich instead of vertical and sharp, and the wine wraps evenly over the palate. This expression from the cool 2013 vintage shows good structure, freshness, integrated tannins and a long succession of dark fruits. This was a release of some 4,000 bottles. |