Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala 2018 MG

Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala 2018 in magnum format is a powerful yet beautifully sculpted expression of Nebbiolo from one of Barolo’s most revered crus. In this larger 1.5 L bottle, the wine evolves more slowly, preserving its freshness and structure for long-term cellaring. Cicala is known among collectors for combining intensity, purity of fruit, and classic Barolo austerity in a wine that rewards patience.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Cicala shows a deep, glowing garnet core with brick-red highlights at the rim, already hinting at its traditional Barolo character. The nose is initially tight and reserved, but with a bit of air it opens into layers of dark red berries, violets, dried rose petals and a touch of licorice, supported by subtle notes of forest floor, underbrush and sweet spice. On the palate, this is full-bodied and focused, with very finely sculpted tannins that are firm yet polished, giving the wine a strong backbone without feeling harsh or chewy. Dark cherry, plum and macerated raspberry unfold alongside notes of tar, tobacco, earth and a mineral edge that runs through the long, controlled finish. The tannins are the star here—superbly integrated and persistent—suggesting excellent aging potential. In magnum, this 2018 should start drinking well from around 2025 and continue to develop gracefully for 15–25 years or more, gaining complexity and tertiary nuances with time.

Production
Cicala is a single cru vineyard in Bussia, one of Monforte d’Alba’s most prestigious hill sites, where Nebbiolo vines grow on a mix of calcareous clay and marl with good exposure and drainage—ideal for producing structured, age-worthy Barolo. The grapes are harvested by hand, with careful selection in the vineyard to ensure only perfectly ripe clusters are brought to the cellar. At Poderi Aldo Conterno, vinification follows a classic, minimalist philosophy: long macerations to extract tannin and aromatics, spontaneous or traditionally guided fermentations in stainless steel, and extended aging in large Slavonian oak casks (botti) rather than small barriques, allowing the wine to develop complexity and harmony while preserving the purity of the fruit and the distinctive character of the Cicala terroir.

Food & Serving
This Barolo calls for richly flavored, protein-driven dishes that can stand up to its structure and complexity: braised beef or veal (such as brasato al Barolo), slow-cooked lamb shanks, game birds, truffle dishes, mushroom risotto, and aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano or mature Pecorino. Serve at around 16–18°C (60–64°F) to let the aromatics fully express themselves. Given its youth and power, decanting is highly recommended: 1–2 hours for current drinking to soften the tannins and open the bouquet, and even longer as it gets older and more complex.

Producer
Poderi Aldo Conterno is one of Barolo’s true benchmark estates, based in Monforte d’Alba and renowned for crafting profound, long-lived Nebbiolo from some of the region’s greatest crus. Founded by Aldo Conterno in 1969 after he left the family winery, the estate quickly gained a reputation for marrying traditional Barolo structure with a refined, polished style. Today, the Conterno family continues to farm their top vineyards—Cicala, Colonnello and Romirasco—using meticulous, low-yield viticulture and a restrained, terroir-first approach in the cellar. Widely regarded as one of the key names that helped elevate Barolo to global icon status, Poderi Aldo Conterno’s wines are highly sought after by collectors and consistently praised by international critics for their depth, balance and capacity to age.

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