When it comes to the monumental epicness of Piedmontese winemaking, few names command the same awe and reverence as Aldo Conterno—and locking in the Nation’s best price on a six-pack buy-in means securing a true legend for your cellar. By now, wine lovers know that Langhe Nebbiolo typically serves as an affordable glimpse into the region’s elite terroirs, but the estate’s iconic "Il Favot" completely breaks the mold. This isn’t a standard regional blend; the fruit is sourced entirely from their highly acclaimed holdings in Bussia, a legendary site tucked inside the core Barolo DOCG zone. Carrying a flawless 94-point score from James Suckling, it rivals top-tier Cru Barolo in depth and complexity while offering a texture that is stunningly expressive and pretty right out of the gate.
To understand Il Favot, you have to look at the Aldo Conterno scale of winemaking. In a region known for some of the longest-lived, most structurally intense wines on earth, Il Favot is intentionally crafted to be a smoother, more accessible alternative without sacrificing a shred of the estate's signature pedigree. Think of it as the "second wine" of a first-growth caliber estate outperforming the top bottlings of the competition. By shortening the skin maceration to about a week and aging the wine for 18 months in French barriques, the Conterno family tames Nebbiolo’s fierce youth. You get the full, explosive soul of Monforte d’Alba at a fraction of the price of their classic Barolo, completely bypassing the mandatory 20-year wait.
In the glass, the 2022 vintage is a deep ruby red, leaping forward with a penetrating, highly perfumed aromatic profile. Ripe cherry kirsch, cranberry, and wild red currant melt into classic Piedmontese notes of crushed rose petals, blood orange, tar, and tobacco, all framed by a sweet kiss of fine oak. The fine-grained tannins are seamlessly integrated, delivering a silky, lush mouthfeel and a long, smoky, sweetly floral finish that evolves beautifully with every sip. It is a luxurious, powerfully structured Nebbiolo that drinks brilliantly right now with an hour in the decanter. Give it a gentle swirl in Burgundy stems alongside a rich, slow-braised beef dish, and experience pure Italian royalty at its absolute finest.
Molte Grazie!
Critical Acclaim:
94 Points, James Suckling:
“A graceful and elegant nebbiolo with aromas of cinnamon, wild strawberries, dried cherries and camphor. Full-bodied, it shows density and velvety tannins with flavors of dried cherries and oranges. Brilliant finish sustained by crisp acidity. Drink or hold.”