Giacomo Conterno, Barolo Monfortino Riserva 1987

Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva 1987 is one of the benchmark expressions of Nebbiolo from Piemonte, a cult wine that defines traditional Barolo at its most pure and uncompromising. Produced only in vintages where the fruit reaches truly exceptional quality, Monfortino stands as a reference point for power, structure and longevity in the region. The cooler yet dry 1987 vintage has yielded a wine of classical poise, combining freshness, complexity and remarkable finesse after more than three decades of evolution.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 1987 Monfortino shows a fully mature garnet hue with a brick-tinted rim, testifying to its age and long bottle development. The nose is intensely layered and endlessly evolving: dried sour cherry and preserved red fruits mingle with violets, rose petals, balsamic notes, leather, forest floor, porcini, and subtle accents of tar, licorice and tobacco. On the palate, this is a Barolo of great authority yet striking elegance. The tannins, once formidable, are now finely woven and silky, supported by a vibrant, classic Nebbiolo acidity that keeps the wine very much alive. Flavours echo the bouquet with dried cherry, blood orange zest, earthy minerality, spice and savoury, umami-like depth, unfolding in a long, resonant finish. While fully mature and at or near its plateau of greatness, top bottles still have the structure to offer further interest over the coming years when well cellared.

Production
The fruit for Monfortino 1987 comes exclusively from the renowned Cascina Francia vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba, a steep, calcareous site that naturally produces Barolo of formidable structure, deep minerality and great aging potential. Grapes were traditionally and selectively harvested by hand, ensuring only perfectly ripe Nebbiolo made it into the winery. Fermentation followed the classic Conterno approach: a very long maceration of up to 4–5 weeks in large, open wooden vats with spontaneous, native yeast fermentation, extracting profound tannin and character from skins and stems. The young wine then spent around seven years in large Slavonian oak botti, with no new barrique influence, before being bottled for decades of further maturation, allowing the terroir and vintage to speak with exceptional clarity.

Food & Serving
At this level of maturity, Monfortino 1987 shines alongside refined, savoury dishes that respect its complexity: think braised veal or beef, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, truffle-laced risotto, game birds, or classic Piemontese dishes such as brasato al Barolo and tajarin with white truffle. Mature hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, aged Comté or well-aged Pecorino also make excellent partners. Serve at around 18 °C, and decant generously—at least 4–5 hours before serving—to allow the wine’s intricate aromatics to unfurl and any remaining sediment to settle. Use large Burgundy or Barolo stemware to fully appreciate its bouquet and texture.

Producer
Giacomo Conterno is one of the most revered names in Piemonte and a global icon of traditionally made Barolo. Founded in the early 20th century, the estate became legendary under Giovanni and later Roberto Conterno, who have steadfastly defended classic methods while many around them modernised. From their flagship Cascina Francia vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba, they craft wines that are unapologetically structured, built for decades of aging, and celebrated for their purity of Nebbiolo and transparent expression of terroir. Monfortino, produced only in the greatest years, is widely considered one of Italy’s finest and most ageworthy red wines, and vintages such as 1987 occupy a special place in the history of Barolo for their combination of tradition, longevity and timeless elegance.

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