Gattinara Vigna Molsino 2018

The wine in this vintage

Molsino is one of Gattinara's historic crus: a steep, well-exposed, sunny vineyard that tends to give the fullest, most structured Nebbiolo in the estate's range. 2018 in northern Piedmont brought a rainy spring and a warm but balanced summer, with an even harvest that produced fresh, aromatic wines of fine elegance rather than power. Gattinara Vigna Molsino 2018 opens with cherry, raspberry, rose, orange and the ferrous, mineral note typical of the volcanic soils, with hints of spice and aromatic herbs. The palate is taut and savoury, with fine, well-integrated tannins. Already enjoyable, it can be kept for a long time while it continues to gain complexity.

The producer · Nervi Giacomo Conterno

Founded in 1906, Nervi is the oldest winery in Gattinara, the cradle of northern Piedmont Nebbiolo, at the foot of the Alps in the shadow of Monte Rosa. For over a century it held some of the appellation's finest vineyards, until in 2018 Roberto Conterno, head of the legendary Giacomo Conterno of Monforte d'Alba, took it over and renamed it Nervi-Conterno. It sent a strong signal to the whole region: the standard-bearer of classic Barolo had chosen to invest in a historic area long kept in the shadows. Here Nebbiolo, locally called Spanna, grows on soils of volcanic origin, rich in porphyry and naturally acidic, which give wines of great freshness, minerality and tannic finesse. Conterno brought his rigour to the cellar: strict selection, traditional fermentations and long ageing in large casks. The flagship sites are Molsino and Valferana, vinified separately as single-cru expressions.

Critics' scores

• 98 Antonio Galloni
• 96 Robert Parker
• 95 Decanter

Technical details

Producer

Nervi Giacomo Conterno

Region

Piemonte

Country

Italia

Type

Rosso

Vintage

2018

When to drink

Hold, still evolving

Critics' average

96.33/100

Sizes

75 cl, Magnum 150 cl, Case of 6 × 75 cl

eWibe code

1000118