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The January 2020 Auction: Part 4

Auction # 590 | View Auction Schedule and Details
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Auction Ends: 1/23/2020 6:00:00 PM PDT

Lot #678. Aldo Conterno Barolo Bricco Bussia Vigna Colonnello 1989

Description: Consists of 1 Magnum, 1.5L
Region: Italy, Piedmont, Barolo.
Score: 96 RP.
". . . a sensational bottle of wine. It is velvety-textured, opulent, and voluptuous. In addition to its spectacular concentration, there is a huge, sweet, leathery, black fruit-scented nose, as well as layers of chewy, fleshy fruit that nearly conceal considerable tannin. The alcohol is in the mid 14% range. Although seductive at present, this spectacularly rich, voluptuous Barolo should age effortlessly . . . . Every Italian wine authority, from the late Sheldon Wasserman, to Burton Anderson, to Victor Hazan, to Roberto Parkero, considers Aldo Conterno to be one of the great masters of his craft. The staggering display of wines he produced in 1989 and 1990 confirmed that no one in Piedmont is making greater Barolo than Aldo Conterno and his sons. If you love great wine, these are must purchases; if you love Barolo, a pilgrimage to your favorite Italian wine shop is in order! It is virtually impossible to pick a favorite among Conterno's 1989s and 1990s. However, the 1990s, which are not yet bottled, appear even more massive, structured, and tannic than the flamboyant, super-concentrated, flashy 1989s. Readers should keep in mind that the Barolo-Riserva Gran Bussia is released a year later than the other Barolos, so the 1989 will not appear in the marketplace until spring, 1995, and the 1990 a year later. Wine enthusiasts throughout the world should be beating a path to their retailers to buy the 1989s and to reserve the 1990s when they arrive next year. By the way, Aldo Conterno is one of Piedmont's sweetest people, proving that sometimes nice guys do finish first!" Wine Advocate #92, Apr 1994
Provenance: The Atlantic Cellar
Notes: Very lightly scuffed capsule, very lightly bin soiled, nicked label.
Read about SWA's Six Point Inspection Process and how to read the condition notes.
Lot Location: Orange County
Estimate: $550

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