Conca Tre Pile Barbera d'Alba DOC 2019 βυ Aldo Conterno is a wine that beautifully marries the traditions of Piedmont with the technical finesse of one of the region’s most renowned producers, Aldo Conterno. Juicy and cherry-driven, yet complex and superbly structured, this is not your average Barbera—it’s one that will truly impress you, especially with a solid 90 points from Wine Spectator.
Although the Conterno family has been making wine since the 19th century, it was Giacomo Conterno who played a pivotal role in elevating the reputation of Barolo wines, gaining critical acclaim in the 1920s with the first bottling of the now-iconic Monfortino. In 1961, his sons Aldo and Giovanni took over the family estate, but Aldo, inspired by his time in the United States, soon chose to forge his own path. In 1969, he founded Poderi Aldo Conterno at Favot estate, aiming to blend classical winemaking traditions with a more modern and refined approach.
While remaining loyal to traditional methods—such as long ageing in large oak casks—Aldo introduced gentler extraction techniques to soften tannins and highlight elegance and fruit purity. His wines are unfiltered, preserving their authentic character, and his approach is organic, avoiding synthetic fertilisers and herbicides to protect both the environment and the health of the vineyards.
Now, let’s get to the heart of it. The grapes for Conca Tre Pile Barbera d'Alba DOC 2019 come from a small hillside vineyard at 400–450 metres altitude, with excellent sun exposure and vines around 45 years old. After fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine is transferred to large oak barrels for 8–12 months of ageing, resulting in soft tannins, spicy notes, and vibrant red fruit that remains intact.
In the hands of a master like Aldo Conterno, even the humble Barbera becomes a true superstar.
