I sat at the Giacomo Conterno table with Roberto Conterno,
the winemaker and owner at the Giacomo Conterno Winery.
You can find a lot information on this winery at
my Giacomo Conterno page.
Here is Roberto Conterno with the first bottle poured at our table:
NV Larmandier-Bernier Longitude - France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
Soft and a touch sour, esp. after the Cristal. Still quite tasty. (92 points)
As far as I know, all the red wines were double decanted around 5:30pm, except where noted.
Dinner started about 7:30pm. The last wines were served around 11pm.
The food at dinner was truly outstanding. Kudos to Executive Chef Will Cox.
Course 1
Prosciutto and Mustard Fruits. Superb!
Flight 1
2005 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Magnum brought by Roberto Conterno.] Big, rich, ripe berry nose.
Still young and tannic with a long rich finish. (94 points)
1970 Cappellano Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Mature nose of mulch. A touch sour, but complex in the mouth. Fading, but still alive.
Drink up. (88 points)
1971 Cappellano Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
More sour and dirty. Not a good bottle, I think. (NR)
Flight 2
2015 Giacomo Conterno Nebbiolo d'Alba Arione - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Nebbiolo d'Alba
[The special charity bottling brought around by Antonio.] Huge juicy red fruit nose.
Huge in the mouth as well.
So big, round rich with massive fruit, ripe tannins, and good acidity. Long and exquisite. Wow!
(97–99 points)
1950 Franco Fiorina Barbaresco - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
[Brought over as a taste from another table by Amanda M.] Mature mulch nose. Complex sour cherry.
Medium length. Still quite alive. (92 points)
1950 Franco Fiorina Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Brought over as a taste from another table by Amanda M.] More sweet fruit than the Barbaresco.
Quite lovely with some richness. (93 points)
Course 2
Mushroom Risotto. Not the prettiest dish, but delicious, especially with the older wines.
Flight 3
1990 Gaja Barbaresco Costa Russi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
Big, ripe red fruit nose. Thick and rich in the mouth.
Still tannic, but lots of red fruit and vanilla.
Needs more time. (95 points)
1990 Soldera (Az. Agr. Case Basse) Brunello di Montalcino -
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Brambly nose of red and black fruit. Long and just stunning in the mouth.
This is the 2nd time I've had one of these at a Barolo dinner.
It clearly stands up again the competition.
Impressive. (96 points)
1969 Pio Cesare Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Gorgeous nose of red fruit. Surprisingly sweet in the nose and mouth. Delicate, but all there.
Really impressive for the vintage. (93 points)
Course 3
Spicy Rigatoni Vodka. Quite tasty, but too spicey for the wines.
2000 Cappellano Barolo Piè Rupestris Otin Fiorin (Gabutti) -
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Just a taste. So backward and tannic. Hard to believe this is from the ripe 2000 vintage.
I can't imagine how tannic the Franco might be. If the tannins soften, it could be 94–95.
(93 points)
1971 Gaja Barbaresco Sorì Tildìn -
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
[A taste from Danny.] Wow! So long and ethereal.
Gloriously complex with a finish that goes on and on.
Totally blown away by this. (99 points)
Charity Auction
To benefit The Zone and the Blau Center for Children's Cancer and Blood Disease at
Kravis Children's Hospital in The Mount Sinai Hospital.
James Forsyth and Antonio Galloni lead the auction:
In those cases where I heard the winning bid, I've noted it in parentheses:
Lot 1 - Magnum Of 2004 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne ($3600).
Lot 2 - Double Magnum Of 2008 Elio Grasso Barolo Rüncot.
Lot 3 - One Double Magnum And Three Magnums Of 2017 Antonio Galloni Cabernet Sauvignon.
Lot 4 - Raid Antonio Galloni's Cellar At Saison ($40,000).
Lot 5 - A Stunning Selection Of Vietti's Barbaresco Rabajá ($6000).
Lot 6 - 2015 Giacomo Conterno Nebbiolo D'alba Arione, One Double Magnum And Three Magnums In Original Wooden Cases,
Embossed With The Successful Bidder's Name (Two lots at $50,000 each).
Our table:
Roberto Conterno's personal assistant Stephanie Flou on the left.
His son Gabriele on the right:
Roberto Conterno's son Gabriele in the middle:
Course 4
Filet Mignon Florentine. So good. Perfect with the Monfortinos.
Side Dishes
Sesame Spinach and Brussels Sprouts:
Flight 5
2002 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Magnum brought by Roberto Conterno.] Stunning, explosive nose of sweet red fruit.
Massive with incredible richness and length. Just wow! And in a vintage when so many didn't even bottle Barolo.
Amazing. (98 points)
2014 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Magnum brought by Roberto Conterno. Note that the vintage is written by hand.]
Dark sweet black fruit and spice nose. Rich and tight, but great potential.
(96–?? points)
Flight 6
1961 Giacomo Conterno Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Brought by me. Double-decanted at 11am. A huge amount of sediment.]
Stunning sweet strawberry nose. Gorgeous sweet fruit in the mouth. Medium length.
What a transformation from when I first decanted it. (95 points)
1967 Giacomo Conterno Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Brought by me. Double-decanted at 11am. A lot of sediment.] Darker color (than the 1961).
Nose is muted, but the palate is rich and sweet and long. Classic Serralunga. (96 points)
Course 5
Robiola Cheese with Sea Salt Crackers & Gooseberry Jam.