2021 Barolo Pietrin, Franco Conterno

Elegant, composed and unmistakably Barolo, Pietrin 2021 opens with aromas of red cherry, violet, and crushed rose, layered with hints of spice, tobacco, and forest earth. On the palate, it’s poised and focused with vibrant red fruit framed by finely woven tannins and a subtle mineral edge. There’s tension and refinement in every sip, with the energy of youth balanced by Barolo’s classic depth and structure. The finish is long, graceful, and full of quiet confidence.

For when: The evening calls for something timeless and true.
Pairs with: Porcini risotto, braised beef, or truffled tagliatelle.

Perched on the sun-soaked slopes of Monforte d’Alba, Franco Conterno is a name synonymous with authenticity and craftsmanship in Barolo. The estate’s vineyards stretch across some of the region’s most celebrated crus, including Pernanno and Bussia, where Nebbiolo thrives in calcareous marl soils. Pietrin is named in honour of the family’s patriarch, and embodies their traditional approach: long macerations, fermentation in steel, and patient ageing in large Slavonian oak casks.

The 2021 vintage in Barolo was classic in style, a balanced, temperate year that yielded wines of purity, definition, and impeccable structure. In Pietrin, it shines through as both youthful and refined: a Barolo with the promise of longevity, but already graceful enough to enjoy in its early chapters.