2008 Barolo Granbussia Riserva

Conterno's 2008 Barolo Riserva Granbussia is short, sweet and pruney, with distinctly overripe black fruit and prominent oak. The 2008 is one of the weakest Granbussias I have ever tasted. Super-ripe dark fruit, mocha, spice and sweet vanillin notes from the oak are front and center in a wine that lacks mid-palate depth, and, most importantly, the nobility that has made Granbussia so famous over the last few decades.

The 2008 Barolo Riserva Granbussia is an unexpected wine and is perhaps the least characteristic of the three Granbussia vintages presented in this mini vertical. The wine opens to a deeply ruby red color and bright aromas that show some very distant touches of jam or marmalade. This is a big surprise given the generally cooler conditions of the vintage. Franco Conterno tells me fruit was harvested very late —at great risk—during the first week of November. The Nebbiolo grape loves a long growing season. The aromas are dense and dark with blackberry, plum and black fruit. Those super charged tones continue with leather, spice and tar. Jun 2017, www.robertparker.com