Langhe Nebbiolo DOC “Il Favot” 2020 – Poderi Aldo Conterno

To produce the Langhe Nebbiolo DOC “Il Favot” Poderi Aldo Conterno, fermentation occurred in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks at 26-28°C. Pumping over did not occur, instead horizontal tanks with constantly rotating mechanised paddles were used to achieve good extraction and colour. The must remained on the skins for 6 to 8 days and then it was racked off to finish the fermentation. The wine remained for five to six months in stainless steel vats. It was racked several times and then put into 100% new oak barriques (of Allier, Troncais, Nevers and Vosges oak) where it remained for 18 months. The wine was aged in bottle for another year before release.

The Conterno family’s vineyards are situated on the hill of Bussia in Monforte d’Alba. The grapes for this wine come from vineyards no more than 20 years old. The soil here is clayey-calcareous, rich with calcium carbonate and iron.The grapes from older vineyards are used to produce Conterno’s Barolo.

Aldo Conterno is one of the historic names of Italian wine. The Conterno family has been making wine in Monforte d’Alba since at least the 1700s. Aldo’s grandfather, Giovanni Conterno, founded his own winery in 1908, which was later run by his son Giacomo. After a stint in the USA in the 1950s, Aldo worked with his older brother Giovanni in that winery until he decided to strike out on his own in 1969. Aldo’s three sons now make the wine (Stefano) and run the business (Franco and Giacomo). Over the years, production has been deliberately reduced in order to increase quality. From the same 25 hectares of 60-year-old vines, the family now produces 80,000 bottles rather than the 180,000 made in 1998. This intensity shines through in the wines.