Aldo Conterno’s Granbussia Barolo Riserva is one of the most esteemed wines from the Barolo region of Italy. It is made from Nebbiolo grapes sourced from the prime parts of the Bussia Soprana vineyards.

Tasting Guide for Barolo Granbussia Riserva from Barolo Granbussia

Discovering the Best Vintages of Barolo Granbussia Riserva

When it comes to the best vintages of Barolo Granbussia Riserva, there are several outstanding years to note. The Granbussia Riserva is a flagship wine from Aldo Conterno, a Barolo producer famed for its traditional style and quality. The wine is a blend of Nebbiolo grapes from three old vine parcels within the Bussia Soprana vineyard, and it’s only produced in the best years.

The outstanding vintages of Barolo Granbussia Riserva include:

1. Barolo Granbussia Riserva 2010: This vintage has been lauded for its fine balance, aromatic complexity, and remarkable aging potential. It offers up a mix of red and black fruits, dried roses, and spices, underscored by earthy, mineral nuances.
2. Barolo Granbussia Riserva 2006: Known for its deep concentration and powerful tannic structure, the 2006 Granbussia Riserva is a wine that rewards patience. With time in the bottle, it reveals a dense, complex palate of dark fruit, licorice, and leather.
3. Barolo Granbussia Riserva 2001: The 2001 vintage is renowned for its exceptional balance and elegance. Expect flavors of cherries, tar, and truffle, enveloped in firm, ripe tannins.
4. Barolo Granbussia Riserva 1999: A great vintage, the 1999 Granbussia Riserva offers a seductive bouquet of red cherries, roses, and tobacco. The palate is well-structured, with a perfect balance between fruit and acidity.
5. Barolo Granbussia Riserv 1996: Highly-rated by critics, the 1996 vintage is full-bodied and beautifully structured. It possesses a great depth of dark fruit, leather, and spice flavors, underscored by vibrant acidity.

Remember that Granbussia Riserva, like most Barolo, is a wine that truly shines with age. As such, it’s often best to wait for these wines to mature before opening, allowing the complex flavors to fully develop and the powerful tannins to soften. With time, the best vintages of Barolo Granbussia Riserva offer a drinking experience that is both profound and unforgettable.

Aldo Conterno’s Granbussia Wine price

Aldo Conterno’s Granbussia Barolo is known for its exceptional quality, high aging potential, and reputation. The wine is produced in limited quantities, and only in the best vintages, contributing to its relative rarity and high prices.

Here are the two positions you requested:

1. Lowest Price: $225.00 from Spectrum Wine Auctions for a 2000 vintage 750ml bottle. This wine is in an auction, which could drive up the price depending on interest. Given the age, it’s likely that the wine has matured nicely, developing complex tertiary flavors and aromas that can make Barolos such a delight to drink. Keep in mind that buying wine at auction can sometimes be risky due to uncertainties about storage and provenance, though many reputable wine auction houses take measures to ensure the wine they sell has been properly stored.
2. Highest Price: $2,478.00 from Wine Cellarage for a 2012 vintage case of 3 bottles. That’s around $826.00 per 750ml. 2012 was a good year for Barolo, so you can expect this wine to be high quality. The cost per bottle is certainly high, reflecting the demand for this prestigious wine, its excellent vintage, and the reputation of the producer.

The question of whether it’s worth it or not depends on your personal preferences and budget. Wine pricing is driven by factors such as the producer’s reputation, the quality of the vintage, the wine’s aging potential, and market demand. Aldo Conterno is a highly respected producer and the Granbussia is one of their flagship wines, which can command higher prices. If you appreciate the complex, structured, and age-worthy nature of Barolo, enjoy wines from renowned producers, and are willing to pay for the privilege, then you might find these prices justifiable. However, it’s always a good idea to try a wine before investing in it heavily, if you can.

Barolo Granbussia Riserva 2012 Reviews and opinion

This wine is a top-tier Barolo, made in a traditional style, and is highly regarded in the world of Italian wines. It’s made from the Nebbiolo grape, which is renowned for its ability to produce deeply colored, full-bodied wines with high tannin levels and acidity.

The Aldo Conterno Granbussia Barolo Riserva 2012 appears to have received high ratings from several critics and publications:

• Wine Spectator (WS) rated the 2012 vintage 95/100. Wine Spectator ratings are highly regarded in the wine industry, and a score of 95 indicates an exceptional wine.
• The 2013 vintage received a score of 97 from Wine Spectator (WS97), suggesting it was an outstanding vintage for this wine.
• The 2009 vintage also appears to have received a score of 97 from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (RP97), another highly respected wine critic.
• The 2008 vintage appears to have received a score of 100 from James Suckling (JS100) and 98 from Robert Parker (RP98), both extremely high scores suggesting an extraordinary wine.

These scores are indeed high and it indicates that this is a very high quality, and probably quite complex wine. It’s also worth noting that Nebbiolo, especially from a renowned producer like Aldo Conterno, can age very well, so the 2012 vintage could potentially still have several years left to mature and develop even more complex flavors.

As for whether the wine is worth its price, it’s important to remember that value can be quite subjective when it comes to wine. It can depend on a number of factors including personal taste, the occasion, and the price you’re willing to pay for a bottle of wine. However, considering the high ratings and the reputation of the producer, if you are a lover of Italian wines and specifically Barolo, it might be worth splurging on a bottle of the Aldo Conterno Granbussia Barolo Riserva 2012, especially if you are interested in experiencing a top-tier Barolo.

Parusso – Bussia Riserva 2000 – Barolo

Barolo Granbussia Riserva Visual Examination:

Given that I am an artificial intelligence, I cannot visually examine anything directly. However, I can give a description of what you might expect when visually examining a bottle of Barolo Granbussia Riserva, particularly the 2012 vintage. Barolo wines are made from Nebbiolo, a red grape variety that’s known for producing wines with a distinct color profile. When you pour a glass of Barolo Granbussia Riserva, you’re likely to observe a garnet or brick red color, which is typical of Nebbiolo wines, especially as they age.

This wine should be clear, with no visible sediment, though older vintages might have a small amount due to the ageing process. The intensity of the color may vary, but given the age of the 2012 vintage, it might lean more towards a medium intensity. In terms of viscosity, or “legs” as it’s often referred to, the wine should exhibit medium to high viscosity when swirled in the glass. This is due to the high alcohol and extract levels commonly found in Barolo wines, which contribute to a denser appearance of the tears running down the inside of the glass.

Remember that visual examination is only one part of the wine tasting process. It can give you clues about the wine’s age and alcohol content, but the aroma, taste, and the overall balance and structure of the wine are what define its quality.

Olfactory Examination:

On the nose, Granbussia Riserva is intense and complex. You might get initial notes of rose petals, dried herbs, and cherries. As the wine evolves, expect hints of truffle, leather, tobacco, and licorice. With age, the wine develops deeper tertiary aromas that add to its complexity.

Taste Examination:

As an AI, I don’t have the ability to taste wine or any other food or drink, but I can give you a general idea of what you might expect from a bottle of Aldo Conterno Granbussia Barolo Riserva 2012 based on typical profiles of Barolo wines and the reputation of this particular label. The Aldo Conterno Granbussia Barolo Riserva is known for its impressive depth and complexity. Upon opening, you might note an intense aroma of black cherry, plum, leather, licorice, dried rose, and hints of tobacco, all underlined by a signature mineral and earthy note that’s typical of Barolo wines.

On the palate, the wine would likely showcase its firm structure and high tannins. Mature versions, like the 2012 vintage, would have had time for these tannins to soften, leading to a more balanced and rounded mouthfeel. Flavors of ripe red and dark fruits (think black cherry or dried plum) would likely be prominent, accompanied by secondary and tertiary notes of leather, tobacco, spice, and dried herbs, reflecting its age.

Given its high acidity, the wine would have a freshness that helps balance its intensity and richness, leading to a long, elegant finish. This Barolo is likely to continue evolving in the bottle, with mature vintages showcasing the depth and complexity that Barolo wines are celebrated for. Overall, the Aldo Conterno Granbussia Barolo Riserva 2012 would likely provide an exceptional tasting experience, particularly for lovers of mature, complex red wines. It’s recommended to decant this wine before serving to allow it to open up and fully express its nuanced flavors and aromas.

Food Pairing:

Barolo wines, like the Aldo Conterno Granbussia Barolo Riserva 2012, are known for their complex flavor profiles, high tannins, and good acidity, making them excellent partners for a range of rich, savory dishes. Here are some food pairings that would go well with this wine:

1. Braised or roasted meats: The tannins in Barolo make it a great match for fatty, richly flavored meats. Try it with braised beef, roasted lamb, or game meats like venison.
2. Truffle dishes: Barolo is from Piedmont, the same region of Italy famous for its white truffles. The earthy, complex flavors of truffle dishes can be a great match for a mature Barolo like this one.
3. Risotto: A rich, creamy risotto, especially one made with mushrooms or meat, would pair well with this wine. The high acidity of the Barolo can cut through the richness of the dish, while the earthy flavors can complement it.
4. Cheeses: Hard, aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino can stand up to the intensity of a Barolo. You could also try it with blue cheeses for a contrast of flavors.
5. Hearty pasta dishes: Think pasta with a rich ragu or a meat-filled agnolotti. The high acidity and tannins in the wine can balance the richness of these dishes.

As with all wine and food pairings, these are just suggestions and the best pairing is often down to personal preference. Enjoy experimenting to find your perfect match!

Ageing Potential:

Barolo, especially from a producer as respected as Aldo Conterno, is known for its remarkable ageing potential. A Barolo like the Aldo Conterno Granbussia Riserva 2012 can typically be cellared for 20-30 years, and in some cases, even longer.

That said, several factors can impact a wine’s ageing potential. These include the quality of the specific vintage, how the wine was made, and how it’s been stored. Based on the high scores the 2012 vintage has received from various critics, it is likely a high-quality vintage with good ageing potential.

If stored properly (in a cool, dark place with a consistent temperature and high humidity), the Aldo Conterno Granbussia Riserva 2012 should continue to evolve and develop more complex flavors and aromas over the next decade or possibly even longer. However, since it’s already over a decade old (as of 2023), it’s likely that the wine is entering or is already in its optimal drinking window. This means that while it could continue to age, it should also be enjoyable to drink now, with mature flavors and softened tannins.

Remember, everyone’s taste preferences differ. Some people prefer the fresh and intense flavors of a younger Barolo, while others prefer the more complex, earthy flavors that develop as the wine ages. Therefore, if you have more than one bottle, you might consider opening one now to see how you like it, and then decide whether to continue ageing the others based on that.

Remember, wine tasting can be highly personal and can depend on individual palate preferences and the specific conditions under which the wine is sampled, including temperature, glassware, and even the ambiance of the tasting room. Enjoy your wine journey!