About this wine
A single-vineyard Barolo from the Cicala parcel within the Bussia cru, separated from Colonnello only by a strip of forest, on blue calcareous clay soil rich in iron. Planted mainly with the Lampia clone of Nebbiolo on Rupestris du Lot rootstock, vines average 40-45 years old. Cicala shows firmer, bigger tannins than the neighboring Colonnello, yet remains dense, finely wrought and harmonious, with dark fruit, spice, minerals and licorice notes and superb elegance in top vintages.
A bolder, more tannic style than Colonnello — best approached with a few hours of decanting or several years of cellaring.
Sommelier's Note
"Cicala is the most muscular of Aldo Conterno's three Bussia crus — a wine that rewards patience with dense, harmonious power few Barolos can match."
Food Pairings
Its structure calls for hearty dishes: wild boar ragù, grilled short ribs, and aged Castelmagno. Also excellent with grilled unagi kabayaki or richly sauced Japanese beef stew.
When to drink it
Serious cellar occasions, vertical tastings, pairing with robust game dishes
Specs
- Grape Varieties
- Nebbiolo
- Style
- Red
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Price Range
- $215-290 (approx. reference conversion)
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Nebbiolo (predominantly Lampia clone, Rupestris du Lot rootstock) from the Cicala parcel, Bussia MGA, Monforte d'Alba. Blue calcareous clay soil rich in iron. Vines approx. 40-45 years old. Traditional long maceration and aging in large Slavonian oak botti. ABV approx. 14.5%.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does Cicala have firmer tannins than Colonnello?
- Despite being only a few hundred meters apart, Cicala's blue calcareous clay soil and predominantly Lampia clone produce a denser, more tannic structure than the Michet-dominated Colonnello.
- Should Barolo Cicala be decanted?
- Yes — a few hours of decanting is recommended for younger vintages to soften the firm tannins and open up the dark fruit and spice aromas.
- What does Barolo Cicala taste like?
- Dark fruit, spice, minerals and licorice, with dense but finely wrought tannins that become increasingly elegant with age.
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Talk to the SommelierMore wines from this producer
アルド・コンテルノ グラン・ブシア バローロ
Aldo Conterno Gran Bussia Barolo
RedNebbiolo
Gran Bussia is the undisputed flagship of Aldo Conterno, produced only in exceptional vintages from the finest plots within the Bussia MGA in Monforte d'Alba. A blend of three subplots—70% Romirasco, 15% Cicala, and 15% Colonnello—representing the pinnacle of Piedmontese winemaking. The wine spends at least 9 years in the cellar before release, including extended aging in large Slavonian oak casks (botti). The result is a wine of extraordinary complexity, power, and longevity, characterized by intense aromas of dried roses, tar, truffle, and dark berries, with firm, refined tannins that soften magnificently over decades.
バローロ・ブッシア
Barolo Bussia
RedNebbiolo
The estate's entry-level Barolo, a blend of the three Bussia subplots that make up Aldo Conterno's top single-vineyard wines — approximately Romirasco, Cicala and Colonnello — from vines averaging 35-40 years old within the Bussia Soprano cru in Monforte d'Alba. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in large Slavonian oak botti in the traditionalist style. It shows cherry, raspberry, rose and sweet spice aromas with firm, fine-grained tannins, offering an accessible introduction to the house style before the single-vineyard bottlings.
バローロ・コロンネッロ
Barolo Colonnello
RedNebbiolo
A single-vineyard Barolo from the Colonnello parcel within the Bussia cru in Monforte d'Alba, planted mainly with the Michet clone of Nebbiolo on 420 A rootstock, from vines around 40-45 years old. Known as the most elegant and refined of Aldo Conterno's three Bussia crus, it shows dark-red berry and violet aromas with forest-floor nuances, full-bodied yet polished, with well-formed, finessed tannins and a long, controlled finish.
バローロ・ブッシア・ロミラスコ
Barolo Bussia Romirasco
RedNebbiolo
A single-vineyard Barolo from the Romirasco parcel, sitting near the crest of the hill in the Bussia cru at around 400m altitude, on bluish marl soils rich in calcium carbonate and iron, with vines up to 55 years old. Considered the most powerful and spiciest of Aldo Conterno's three Bussia crus, and the primary component (about 70%) of the flagship Gran Bussia blend. It shows balsamic, floral and spicy aromas of great finesse, with dark fruit and forest-floor nuances dominating the palate.
イル・ファヴォ
Il Favot
RedNebbiolo
A Langhe Nebbiolo named after the Favot estate that Aldo Conterno purchased in 1969, the founding property of the winery. Sourced from younger vineyards (up to 15 years old) undergoing periodic replanting, with a shorter 6-8 day maceration to extract color and softness rather than heavy tannin. Graceful and elegant, with aromas of cinnamon, wild strawberries, dried cherries and camphor; full-bodied with velvety tannins, dried cherry and orange flavors, and a brilliant, acid-driven finish. Often described as the most outstanding example of a 'baby Barolo' style Langhe Nebbiolo.