The 2004 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is drop-dead gorgeous. I have tasted the wine multiple times from barrel and three times from bottle and never been anything less than blown away. The 2004 is a subtle, layered Monfortino that captures the sheer elegance and finesse of this great vintage. It is sweet, perfumed, silky and utterly mind-blowing. From barrel it has always been a 100 point wine, but it has just been bottled and naturally a bit closed in on itself. Still, with some time in the glass its silky, perfumed fruit and dazzling class come to life. The 2004 is remarkably harmonious for such a young wine. Readers will have much fun debating which is the greatest Monfortino of recent years. Could it be the 1996, 1999 or 2002 for their huge structure and classicism? Or, is it the 1997 for its opulence? What if the dark horse 1998 and 2000 steal the show? Personally, I adore the 2001 and 2004 for their completeness, but the 2004 is the sexiest of them all. Sadly, 2004 is also the year Giovanni Conterno passed away, but one can't escape the feeling his spirit lives in this wine. Kudos to Roberto Conterno and his team for this magnificent, thrilling Barolo... Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Patrice Breton
Owner/Vintner Vice Versa Wines
Really started to sing after 7 hours. Incredibly complex, refined, pure and powerful. Waves of perfume including wilted flowers, sweet tobacco, dark chocolate, balsamic vinegar and pure red & black berries. One of the best wines in the world for sure.
Really started to sing after 7 hours. Incredibly complex, refined, pure and powerful. Waves of perfume including wilted flowers, sweet tobacco, dark chocolate, balsamic vinegar and pure red & black berries. One of the best wines in the world for sure.
10Ehren Jordan
Owner/Winemaker Failla Wines
I am I'm love!
I am I'm love!
9.5Andrew Hammond
Not too shabby.
Not too shabby.
10Mike Evans
A nose you can get lost in, deep savory fruit, still a bit tight but enjoyable.
A nose you can get lost in, deep savory fruit, still a bit tight but enjoyable.
9.4David Wanek
One of the best Monfortino’s i have ever had. So complete.
One of the best Monfortino’s i have ever had. So complete.
10Aaron Tan
Mind-blown! Roses, tabacco, leather, cedar, orange peel, sweet spices, liqueur dark fruits on the nose, essential oils. So layered. Incredible structure - silky tannins, robust, concentrated. Still thriving with that acid drive. A remarkably long finish. Can't get my nose out of the glass even after drinking it all down. Best aged Barolo I've had the pleasure of tasting.
Mind-blown! Roses, tabacco, leather, cedar, orange peel, sweet spices, liqueur dark fruits on the nose, essential oils. So layered. Incredible structure - silky tannins, robust, concentrated. Still thriving with that acid drive. A remarkably long finish. Can't get my nose out of the glass even after drinking it all down. Best aged Barolo I've had the pleasure of tasting.
10Bryan Thomas
2004 - still a pup not sure I'd pay the freight
2004 - still a pup not sure I'd pay the freight
9.4Skye LaTorre
Sommelier The Meatball Shop
Tried not to fixate on what coulda been, by appreciating how inviting it already was.
Tried not to fixate on what coulda been, by appreciating how inviting it already was.
8.5Ashish Goel
Florence superb wine
Florence superb wine
9.0WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.