Conterno Fantino Castelletto Vigna Pressenda Barolo 2022 is a single-vineyard Barolo from a 1.2-hectare parcel in the Castelletto cru of Monforte d'Alba, grown with certified organic fruit. It shows iris, lavender, incense and dark cherry. Monica Larner and Aldo Fiordelli both rated it 95 POINTS. A wonderful wine for anyone who loves perfumed, structured Barolo. Stock is very limited.
In the glass it shows a perfumed, balsamic nose with potpourri and graphite, then a dense, full-bodied palate lifted by crisp acidity.
This is a wine for those of us who enjoy modern Barolo with lift and finesse. It's a special weekend wine, best enjoyed with great food.
Just 6,630 bottles were made in 2022, according to Monica Larner of The Wine Advocate.
What it tastes like
Monica Larner found a delicate, streamlined personality despite real concentration and structure, with iris root, lavender pastille and crushed flowers lifting the bouquet. Aldo Fiordelli of JamesSuckling.com described a modern style with a balsamic profile and oaky tannins, powerful and young yet juicy and balanced. It's a beautiful, perfumed Barolo.
Style at a glance
- Body: Full
- Sweetness: Dry
- Acidity: Crisp
- Tannin: Dense and polished
- Oak: French oak barrels of various sizes, adding spice and a polished edge to the tannins
- Style: Perfumed, powerful single-vineyard Barolo
Food to enjoy this with
- Brasato al Barolo, beef braised in red wine
- Tajarin pasta with shaved white truffle
- Roast rack of lamb
- Osso buco
- Aged Castelmagno cheese
- Peking duck: an unexpected match, as the rich, spiced meat softens the wine's firm tannins
Who makes it
Conterno Fantino was founded in 1982 by Guido Fantino and Claudio Conterno. Its winery sits on a hilltop above the old village of Monforte d'Alba, with views across the arc of the Alps. The family also makes the Dolcetto d'Alba Bricco Bastia.
Vigna Pressenda lies in the Castelletto cru at 340 to 360 metres, on a south-east-facing slope of about 30%. The soil is white, calcareous silt with sand, over the Lequio Formation, and the Nebbiolo vines were planted in 1969, 1986, 2007 and 2012. The first vintage of this wine was 2013.
The grapes are picked by hand around mid-October, at yields of 37 to 40 hectolitres per hectare. Fermentation and maceration take place in temperature-controlled stainless steel, malolactic fermentation (a natural softening of the acidity) happens in wood, and the wine ages in French oak barrels of various sizes.
About the vintage
Michaela Morris of Decanter reported a severe, prolonged drought and high summer temperatures in 2022, leading to an early harvest. Yields fell by roughly 20 to 45%, but the grapes were healthy. Aldo Fiordelli of JamesSuckling.com reported that the harvest came 10 to 20 days earlier than average.
Morris found the wines surprisingly fragrant and fruit-expressive, generally round, with ageing potential of about 10 to 12 years.
Critic scores and ratings
- 95 POINTS – Monica Larner – The Wine Advocate
"The Conterno Fantino 2022 Barolo Castelletto Vigna Pressenda, also made with certified organic fruit, takes a different path, showing a more delicate and streamlined personality despite its concentration, structure and generous oak aging. From a tiny 1.2-hectare parcel in Castelletto (Monforte d'Alba), the wine reveals greater nuance with elegant notes of iris root, lavender pastille and crushed flowers that lift the bouquet. If you're looking for power and Nebbiolo elegance in the same bottle, this is a classic expression. It also feels slightly more approachable today than the 2 Barolos from Ginestra, although all will reward further bottle age. Some 6,630 bottles were produced."
- 95 POINTS – Aldo Fiordelli – JamesSuckling.com
"A modern style with a balsamic profile, showing a perfumed nose of incense, potpourri and dark cherries, the graphite carrying through to the full-bodied palate. It shines with density, oaky tannins and crisp acidity. Powerful and young yet juicy and balanced. Try after 2027."
When to drink it
Monica Larner gives a drinking window of 2027 to 2042, and Aldo Fiordelli suggests trying it after 2027. This is the sort of wine you buy a case of, to open over the next 15 years.
Technical details
| Producer: |
Conterno Fantino |
| Wine: |
Barolo Castelletto Vigna Pressenda |
| Vintage: |
2022 |
| Variety: |
100% Nebbiolo |
| Region: |
Castelletto, Monforte d'Alba, Piedmont |
| Country: |
Italy |
| Classification: |
Barolo DOCG |
| Oak: |
French oak barrels of various sizes |
| Fermentation: |
Temperature-controlled stainless steel; malolactic in wood |
| Closure: |
Cork |
| Cellaring: |
2027 to 2042 (Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate) |
| Organic: |
Certified organic fruit |
Where to buy
The Conterno Fantino Castelletto Vigna Pressenda Barolo 2022 is available online at thewineryonline.co.nz for delivery within New Zealand. You can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine. Online and in both stores you can select a mixed case from a large range of wines. Only 6,630 bottles were made in 2022.
Questions we are often asked
Where is the Castelletto vineyard?
Castelletto is a cru in Monforte d'Alba, and Vigna Pressenda is a south-east-facing parcel within it at 340 to 360 metres.
Is Conterno Fantino Pressenda organic?
Yes. The Wine Advocate notes that it is made with certified organic fruit.
When should I drink Pressenda Barolo 2022?
The Wine Advocate's window runs from 2027 to 2042, and JamesSuckling.com suggests waiting until after 2027.
How much Pressenda Barolo is made?
Just 6,630 bottles were made in 2022, from a 1.2-hectare parcel.
What food goes with Barolo Pressenda?
Braised beef, truffle pasta, roast lamb, osso buco and aged Castelmagno all suit it.
Where can I buy Conterno Fantino Castelletto Vigna Pressenda Barolo 2022?
The Winery sells Conterno Fantino Castelletto Vigna Pressenda Barolo 2022 online at thewineryonline.co.nz for delivery within New Zealand. You can also buy it in our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores.
