2002 Giacomo Conterno Monfortino

"A strange year that produced an original Monfortino which was, in certain ways, stylistically unusual. Given the poor harvest you would never have expected it to have such a rich color. Roberto (Conterno) interpreted the situation magnificently and waited for better weather to pick the grapes, which meant that all those from Cascina Francia were just used for Monfortino. For years he had doubts over this but what came out of the barrels proved it was the right move. The aroma is strongly stratified and balsamic, which in itself is not rare but never on such a level as this. It is not overbearing, in fact it is strongly marked by balances that border on perfection. The intensity is varied and while not as acute as the 2004 and 2006, it is anything but repressed. There are great notes of geranium and Arabic coffee that clearly stand out on a background of the usual red fruits. The mouthfeel is majestic, still gnarling and never docile. This may not make it to 100 but it will come close." - 95/100, Doctorwine