In multiple tastings over the last year the estate's 2003 Barolo Sori Ginestra has consistently proven to be one of the vintage's top Barolos. The wine's hallmark qualities are all there; deep color full-bodied intense black cherries and plums grilled herbs spices and sweet toasted oak even if they are not as well-articulated as in more typical vintages. Rich and expansive on the palate this big strapping Barolo needs another few years of bottle age to drink at its finest. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2018. Things haven't changed much at Conterno-Fantino at least not yet. The estate continues to make sleek modern-styled Barolos aged in 100% new French oak. Guido Fantino tells me his son Fabio has begun aging a few lots of his own wine in mid-size casks so it will be interesting to see the direction the new generation takes. The estate has a new Barolo from the Mosconi vineyard that will make its debut with the 2004 vintage. My early impressions from cask of this and the estate's other 2004 Barolos are positive.

Shows bright perfumed aromas of ripe strawberry and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins and a chocolate coffee and berry aftertaste. Delicate and balanced for the vintage. Best after 2010. 795 cases made. –JS