Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Cicala 2021

Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Cicala 2021 is a powerful, single-vineyard Barolo from one of Monforte d’Alba’s most revered crus. Sourced from the steep Cicala vineyard within the famed Bussia area, this wine showcases Nebbiolo at its most pure, structured and ageworthy. With deep roots in traditional Barolo craftsmanship, it balances classic austerity with lifted, precise fruit in this highly promising vintage.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2021 Cicala is a vibrant, luminous garnet with youthful ruby highlights at the rim. The nose opens slowly but with great intensity: dried rose petals, violets and tar mingle with notes of red cherry, blood orange, anise, tobacco leaf and hints of sandalwood and crushed stone. As it breathes, more depth emerges—subtle notes of fennel, leather and sweet spices all wrapped in a distinctly mineral frame. On the palate, this Barolo is firmly structured yet beautifully poised. Pure Nebbiolo fruit—wild strawberry, sour cherry and red currant—is supported by soaring acidity and tightly woven, fine-grained tannins. There’s a cool, stony backbone characteristic of Bussia, with savory undertones of licorice, tea leaf and dried herbs that lead to a long, resonant finish. Still very youthful, it will benefit from cellaring: optimal drinking will likely begin from 2028 onward, with the capacity to evolve gracefully for 20+ years in a good cellar.

Production
The Cicala vineyard lies within the prestigious Bussia cru in Monforte d’Alba, one of Barolo’s most historic and sought-after hillside sites. Here, the combination of calcareous-clay soils, excellent drainage and sun exposure gives Nebbiolo both power and finesse. The vines in Cicala average 40–45 years of age, with occasional replanting to maintain vitality; the primary Nebbiolo clone is Lampia, grafted onto Rupestris du Lot rootstock, known for its deep rooting and resilience. Grapes are carefully hand-harvested at optimal ripeness and sorted to ensure only the best clusters are used. Fermentation and maceration follow a traditional approach designed to extract structure, aromatics and longevity, with maturation in large wooden casks allowing the wine to develop complexity while preserving the integrity of the vineyard character.

Food & Serving
This is a serious, gastronomic Barolo that shines alongside rich, savory dishes. Think braised veal shank, slow-cooked beef cheeks, game birds, truffle risotto, tajarin with ragù, wild mushroom dishes or aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano and older Pecorino. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Burgundy or Nebbiolo stems to allow full aromatic expression. In its youth, decanting for 2–3 hours is recommended to soften the tannins and let the bouquet unfold; older bottles can be decanted more gently, primarily to remove sediment.

Producer
Aldo Conterno is one of the great names of Barolo, rooted in the traditions of Piedmont yet renowned for a refined, exacting style. After branching off from the historic Giacomo Conterno estate in the late 1960s, Aldo established his winery in Monforte d’Alba with a clear focus on expressing individual crus—Bussia, and within it vineyards like Cicala, Colonnello and Romirasco. Over the decades, the estate has become a benchmark for classic yet accessible Barolo, marrying meticulous vineyard work with a thoughtful, largely traditional cellar philosophy. Today, Aldo Conterno’s wines are considered among the most important interpretations of Monforte terroir, consistently earning international acclaim and a loyal following among serious collectors and Nebbiolo enthusiasts.

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