The Barolo to Beat

by Westgarth Wines October 15, 2020

As the weather cools, a heady red becomes more and more appealing, and one of the most cherished reds in the world is Barolo. Made from the Nebbiolo grape, which got its name from the word “nebbia”, meaning fog. Some report that the term came about due to the fogs that form in the Piedmont hills in the autumn, whereas others think it references the white yeasty bloom that forms on the Nebbiolo grapes’ skin. However you look at the grapes, there are few arguments that the finest, the most complex, and longest lived examples come from Barolo. They exude the classic “tar and roses” aromas and flavors, and while the tannins can be harsh in youth, they are part of what makes Barolo one of the finest wines to cellar for years.

But which ones are worth your money? Wine-Searcher aggregated many critics’ scores, calibrating them to create a list of the top ten. At the top of the list is Giacomo Conterno Monfortino, which is only made in the best vintages—it fetches nearly double what it did five years ago, and more than double what the remainder of the wines on the list will. Still, its champions would posit that such a rare and special bottle is worth it. Giacomo Conterno has two other bottlings on the list; his Cerretta and Francia bottlings are more approachably priced. Other stalwarts like Rinaldi, Gaja, and Giacosa also make the list.

Take a look at the full list here.