Poderi Aldo Conterno Langhe Rosso – Not For The Faint of Heart

80% Freisa, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot from Monforte d’Alba, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy.

SRP of $35, purchased for $19.99 but more typically available for around $25. Imported by Massanois Imports.

From the winery:

“Species of Vine: Freisa, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot.

Vineyard: different vineyards in Bussia (Monforte d’Alba).

Harvest: manual, with grapes selection in the vineyard.

Time of Harvest: mid-October.

Vinification: red, with skin soaking inside stainless steel vats.

Vinification Time: the must stays on contact with the skins for 6 to 8 days and it is further drawn off wine; finally, the alcoholic Vinification gets fully complete.

Vinification Temperatures: from 26 to 28 degrees centigrades.

Cellar Refining: the new wine spends a few months inside stainless steel vats, it is transferred several times, and, consequently, it is poured onto barrels (“barriques”) where it remains for 12 months; finally, it will be bottled.

14.0% Alcohol”

Today’s wine, which hails from the same area as Barolo, comes from a grape that I have to admit I had never heard of before: Freisa (FRAY-zah). Once a well known grape in Piedmont, it has been overshadowed in recent times by Nebbiolo. It is most commonly seen today in the form of a slightly sweet sparkling wine, but can also be produced as a rich and tannic still wine with lots of acidity and that’s exactly what we have today.

The 2009 Poderi Aldo Conterno Langhe Rosso begins with a lovely aroma of deep, dark, ripe fruit plus violets, lavender, red licorice and a bit of smoke. Tasting the wine reveals tons of succulent sour cherry and other mouthwateringly tart berry fruit. There’s also a nice spicy earthy component that balances all the fruit perfectly. Add to that great acidity, a super smooth texture and good solid (but not overwhelming) tannins and you’ve got a seriously good wine. It ends dry with more rich and very tart fruit that hangs around in your mouth for days. Fantastic!

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.

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