and more:
• Domenico Clerico's Stylistic Baroli
• An Introduction to Domenico Clerico
• Conterno & Clerico Six Packs

The First of 2001 Barolo

Our offering of the 2001 vintage Baroli has begun! The 2001 vintage marks the end of Piemonte’s longest and greatest streak (1996–2001), and 2001 is our favorite since the 1996. The last streak to come to this region was just three years (1988-1990), so you can be certain that now is the time to invest in Barolo. Fortunately, IWM has cellar depth for each of these historic vintages from Sergio's selected producers. Mother Nature blessed the Langhe hills in 2001 with conditions to create the highest quality Baroli and Barbareschi to be produced. From IWM's selected estates this means benchmark wines that capture the true essence of Nebbiolo as rarely seen before. Based on barrel tastings we believe that the 2001 wines resemble much of the character that 1996 displayed, with more structure and ageability than the ripe, round, and approachable wines of 1997 and 2000. And most importantly, the 2001 has greater acidity!

This e-mail, however, is not an analysis of the 2001 vintage, but rather an offering and an introduction to the vintage from two masters located in the Monforte d’Alba zone of Barolo: Aldo Conterno and Domenico Clerico. Each offers a unique style that will allow you to experience the range Nebbiolo demonstrates within this single vintage. Clerico’s technique with rotary fermentors, short maceration, single-vineyard emphasis and barrique ageing offers a contrast in style to Conterno’s implemetation of longer maceration and ageing in traditional large, old foudres.

Read on below to learn about the 2001 Baroli from Piemonte’s “King of Barolo” and one of the fathers of the modernist movement. To complement this offering we have added several vintages and wines from these two masters, including the recent release of Aldo Conterno's Granbussia! It should be noted that in recent IWM tastings of Baroli, Granbussia has been the favorite over Giacomo Conterno's Monfortino, Sandrone's Cannubi Boschis, Gaja's Sperss, and Scavino's Bric del Fiasc across multiple vintages. If you would like to make a purchase or have further questions regarding the wines of Aldo Conterno and Domenico Clerico, or the 2001 vintage, please contact Perry Porricelli at 212.473.2323.

Click for last week's e-letter on Italy's Reclusive Masters!

Aldo Conterno's Legendary Baroli

Giacomo Conterno Monfortino Riserva and Aldo Conterno Granbussia Riserva! Perhaps the two greatest examples of Barolo produced. For more than five generations the Conterno family has taken on the unstable conditions of the Langhe hills becoming a staple in the heritage of Piemonte Barolo. In the early sixties, Aldo and his brother, the late Giovanni Conterno, worked with their father at the Giacomo Conterno estate to create some of the most long-lived and highly regarded Baroli. However, with a split in views over the styles of Barolo, Aldo left the unwavering traditionalist Giovanni at their father's cellar in 1969 and founded the "Favot" cellar.

BAROLO "BUSSIA SOPRANA"
From Bussia Soprana in Monforte d'Alba. Three years in Slavonian oak are followed by twelve months in bottle before release. Ruby with garnet undertones. Classic floral aromas intertwine with tobacco, earth, and licorice which lead into a full-bodied palate of red berries, dried flowers, and sweet spice. Young tannins are balanced by keen acidity.

Aldo Conterno Bussia Soprana 2001 $62.00
Aldo Conterno Bussia Soprana 2000 $62.00
Aldo Conterno Bussia Soprana 1999 $65.00
Aldo Conterno Bussia Soprana 1996 $165.00 (1.5L)
Aldo Conterno Bussia Soprana 1990 $209.00
Aldo Conterno Bussia Soprana 1990 $995.00 (3L)
Aldo Conterno Bussia Soprana 1989 $895.00 (3L)
Aldo Conterno Bussia Soprana 1988 $179.00
Aldo Conterno Bussia Soprana 1979 $949.00 (3L)
Aldo Conterno Bussia Soprana 1978 $6,429.00 (12L)

BAROLO "CICALA"
A second “cru” from Bussia Soprana. Following the same aging program as the Barolo Bussia Soprana, this is the most tannic of the trio. Ruby/garnet like the others. The potent nose sings with dried roses, underbrush, lead, and cherries. Thickly textured with concentrated forest fruit, while layers of mineral, licorice, and smoke add complexity. A fine, lingering finish.

Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala 2001 $89.00
Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala 2001 $199.00 (1.5L)
Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala 2000 $199.00 (1.5L)
Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala 1999 $89.00
Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala 1990 $299.00
Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala 1990 $689.00 (1.5L)
Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala 1988 $395.00 (1.5L)

BAROLO "COLONNELLO"
The third “cru” from Bussia Soprana. Deeper in color and fruit intensity than the two above and consistently the most approachable. The nose is fresh with dried flowers and fennel, while the palate is juicier with ripe red plums, strawberries, and kirsch liqueur. Good structure, bright acidity, and velvety tannins make the Colonnello suave, elegant, and superbly drinkable at any age.

Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello 2001 $89.00
Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello 2000 $89.00
Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello 1990 $689.00 (1.5L)
Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello 1988 $195.00

BAROLO "GRANBUSSIA" RISERVA
The estate’s special reserve bottling, produced only in great vintages. The grapes are selected from the prime Bussia plots of Cicala (15%), Colonnello (15%), and Romirasco (70%). Aged three years in Slavonian oak casks and another 1 1/2 years in stainless steel tanks before resting in bottle for another year. The wine is a favorite of Sergio and has garnered 95+ points from Steve Tanzer. This is truly wine of patience, please allow another 10-20 years of cellaring.

Aldo Conterno Barolo Granbussia Riserva 1999 $135.00
Aldo Conterno Barolo Granbussia Riserva 1998 $135.00
Aldo Conterno Barolo Granbussia Riserva 1990 $359.00

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An Introduction to Aldo Conterno

IL FAVOT
Produced from Nebbiolo grapes harvested in Località Bussia Soprana and aged for several months in barriques before bottling. The barrique adds pleasant layers of vanilla and dark chocolate to this modern style Nebbiolo. The expressive nose and palate of plum, redcurrant, and chestnut are balanced by solid acidity and medium tannins. A lush mouthfeel and a strong finish.

Aldo Conterno Il Favot 2001 $58.00
Aldo Conterno Il Favot 2000 $57.00
Aldo Conterno Il Favot 1998 $58.00

QUARTETTO
Distinctly Italian marries distinctly international in this blend of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. IWM is reintroducing this vintage as it is showing exceptionally well right now. Dark ruby/purple-colored, the powerful bouquet of black cherry jam and earth slides into a dense, full-bodied palate that is round and richly fruity. The sun-roasted black fruits and spice on the palate linger on the finish alongside the tongue-dusting tannins.

Quartetto 2001 $39.00

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Domenico Clerico's Stylistic Baroli

This small estate of Domenico Clerico is located in Monforte d'Alba, right in the heart of Barolo. Here Domenico began in the 1980's and has since established himself as one of the leading producers of the region and a fervent advocate of quality winemaking as well as one of the leading proponents of the modernist movement in the winemaking process of Barolo (along with Sandrone, Scavino, and Voerzio), creating more round, dense, fruit driven wines. He believes that the grape is the crucial part of the process and stresses that the various production techniques are merely tools of the trade and not an intrinsic part of the wine itself. For this reason, Clerico is intent on the importance of the land in winemaking, which in turn explains his concentration on single-vineyard wines since they allow the character of the land to shine through unfettered.

BAROLO CIABOT MENTIN GINESTRA
Like the Pajanà, the Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra comes from grapes grown in the celebrated Ginestra area of Barolo’s Monforte d’Alba. Deep ruby color with flecks of purple. Black cherry and cassis are garnished with licorice and oak on the nose. The same flavors appear on the extracted palate underlined by charcoal notes. This beautifully balanced Barolo is delectably rich.

Clerico Barolo Ciabot Ginestra 2001 $64.95
Clerico Barolo Ciabot Ginestra 2000 $139.00 (1.5L)
Clerico Barolo Ciabot Ginestra 1999 $150.00 (1.5L)

BAROLO PAJANA
The Barolo Pajanà is a product of the Ginestra vineyard, a subzone of Barolo already known in the 19th century for its superior wines. Here, grapes enjoy south and southwest exposure and beget full Barolos that age well and boast great structure. The 2001 shows deep red. A thick, sweet bouquet of overripe black fruit with rich chocolate. Smoke swirls around these as they envelop the palate. A full-bodied wine of incredible concentration and a lasting finish.

Clerico Barolo Pajanà 2001 $64.95
Clerico Barolo Pajanà 2000 $64.95
Clerico Barolo Pajanà 1999 $75.00

BAROLO PERCRISTINA
Clerico’s reserve Barolo, the Percristina (named after his daughter who tragically died at the age of seven) is made from grapes grown in the Mosconi vineyard in the Monforte d’Alba zone of Barolo. This small vineyard site is found on a steep hill with southern aspect and a soil of white tufa that gives wines of unusual structure and tannin. The deep red releases bold blackberries and raspberries doused in kirsch. On the palate, toasted oak modestly accompanies more concentrated black fruit. A long finish completes this huge, powerful Barolo.

Clerico Barolo Percristina 1999 $84.95
Clerico Barolo Percristina 1998 $89.00

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An Introduction to Domenico Clerico

ARTE
Not only was Domenico a pioneer in the modern movement of Barolo, he experimented with the blending of Nebbiolo and Barbera to create a more approachable wine. The result was the Super Piemonte Arte. The original barrique-aged Barbera blend consisted of 90% Nebbiolo with 10% Barbera. The more recent vintages contain a small dose of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Maceration on the skins is in steel rotary fermentors for 5-10 days for the Nebbiolo grapes and 10-14 days for the Barbera grapes. The wine is the aged in new French barriques for 16-20 months. A multitude of spices and herbs adorn black fruit and sweet ripe vegetables. Oak peeks through on a relatively full-bodied palate, with striking power, chewy tannins, and pleasant acidity.

Clerico Arte 2001 $39.00
Clerico Arte 2001 $79.00 (1.5L)

DOLCETTO VISADI
Even the more accessible Barolos of Clerico need time to age. Wines created to drink in the interim are Clerico’s Arte and his Dolcetto Visadi. Plump with ripe purple fruit scents springing to the palate. A dab of oak, a streak of acid, and a touch of bright tannins round out this delightfully fruity wine.

Clerico Dolcetto Visadi 2003 $17.50

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Conterno & Clerico Six Packs

CONTERNO-CLERICO BAROLO SIX PACK
Try some of Italy's greatest and most innovative wines with the Conterno-Clerico six pack (1 of each) or case sampler (2 of each). See how each producer designs their single-vineyard 2001 Barolos to truly capture the essence of Nebbiolo.

Aldo Conterno 2001 Bussia Soprana $62.00
Aldo Conterno 2001 Barolo Cicala $89.00
Aldo Conterno 2001 Barolo Colonnello $89.00
Clerico 2001 Barolo Ciabot Ginestra $64.95
Clerico 2001 Barolo Pajana $64.95
Clerico 1999 Barolo Percristina $84.95

IWM Conterno/Clerico Barolo Six Pack (6) ..... $454.85*
IWM Conterno/Clerico Barolo Case (12): ..... $871.30*
*Free delivery to NYC residents

CONTERNO-CLERICO INTRODUCTORY SIX PACK
Here's an introduction to two masters of Piemonte from the Monforte d'Alba zone of Barolo. Experience their straight Barolo offering as well as a taste of their other exceptional efforts; from Clerico's Super Piemonte Arte to Aldo Conterno's magical four grape blend in Quartetto. Available in a six pack (1 of each) or case sampler (2 of each).

Aldo Conterno Il Favot 2001
Aldo Conterno Quartetto 2001
Aldo Conterno Bussia Soprana 2001
Clerico Arte 2001
Clerico Dolcetto Visadi 2003
Clerico Barolo Ciabot Ginestra 2001

IWM Conterno/Clerico Intro Six Pack (6) ..... $280.45*
IWM Conterno/Clerico Intro Case (12): ..... $526.42*
*Free delivery to NYC residents

Click here to order these samplers by fax!