The 2020 Conterno Fantino Barolo Sori Ginestra is a Nebbiolo varietal hailing from the prestigious Ginestra sub-appellation in Monforte, part of Italy's renowned Piedmont region. This Barolo is produced by Conterno Fantino, a well-respected name in the wine industry. The wine is red in color, as typical for its type.
The 2020 vintage has garnered significant praise from professional reviewers, highlighting its complexity, structure, and aging potential. James Suckling awarded it a 97, noting its "generous oak spices in great harmony with the rich fruits and agile structure." He describes its enticing aroma profile that includes "cedar, cinnamon, iodine, and sour cherry," culminating in a texture that is "appropriately tannic." Suckling recommends drinking this wine starting from 2030, suggesting its potential for aging.
Vinous offered a similarly high score of 96, emphasizing the wine's blend of finesse and power. Their review mentions the aromatic presence of "crushed flowers, orange peel, spice, mint, white pepper, and tobacco," and highlights its textural depth that "explodes through the mid-palate and finish." This critique underscores the wine's notable aromatic complexity and its impressive finish.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also gave this Barolo a commendable 95, emphasizing its "generous, complex, and well-structured" nature. Monica Larner points out the strong oak influence and suggests that the wine needs more time in the bottle to fully integrate. She notes flavors of "perfumed oak spice, pine cone, licorice root, Pastis, root beer, plump cherry fruit, baked ripeness, and wild mint."
Jeb Dunnuck, represented by Audrey Frick, also scored it 96, praising its complexity and purity. The review highlights aromas of "anise, pepper, rocky earth, fresh cherries, and pine," noting the wine's well-defined and chiseled profile. Frick suggests that the 2020 vintage offers "another level of complexity and purity," making it an exceptional candidate for cellaring, with a drinking window from 2026 to 2046.
Overall, the 2020 Conterno Fantino Barolo Sori Ginestra is a well-regarded wine that promises to develop beautifully with time. Its high scores and detailed reviews from respected critics suggest it will be a noteworthy addition to any wine enthusiast's collection.