Cordero di Montezemolo - Barolo Monfalletto 1978

Cordero di Montezemolo – Barolo Monfalletto 1978

1. Overview

2. The 1978 vintage – Excellent and legendary

The 1978 vintage ranks among the most exquisite and outstanding vintages in Piedmont. As already outlined in the report on the Anforio Barolo 1978, this is one of the region’s legendary vintages . The climatic conditions – rainfall during flowering, which drastically reduced yields – allowed the grapes to ripen perfectly and resulted in wines with excellent structure and exceptional ageing potential.

3. The Winery: Cordero di Montezemolo

The Cordero di Montezemoloestate , based in La Morra, is one of Piedmont’s most traditional and prestigious estates. The history of the Monfalletto estate dates back to 3 April 1340, when Pietrino Falletti became the owner of the municipality of La Morra.

The estate is still run by the family today – a tradition spanningalmost 700 years. Today, Giovanni Cordero di Montezemolo manages the estate together with his children, Elena and Alberto.

4. The vineyard: Monfalletto

The Monfalletto vineyard is situated in the municipality of La Morra and is renowned for its elegant Barolos, which combine power and finesse in perfect balance. The terroir – characterised by calcareous marl soils at an exposed, elevated altitude – lends the wines a distinctive balance between structure and elegance.

The Monfalletto vineyard also holds special historical significance for the Cordero di Montezemolo family: until 1979, winemaking and ageing still took place in the old cellar in La Morra, before the new wine cellar in the Annunciata district was completed.

5. Vinification and ageing

The 1978 Barolo Monfalletto was vinifiedusing the classic, traditional Piedmontesemethod:

• 100% Nebbiolo

• Traditional fermentation with maceration

• Ageing in large oak casks (Slavonian oak) – not in small barriques

• DOCG Barolos must be aged for at least three years, of which at least two years must be spent in wooden casks

The wine embodies the classic style of traditional Barolo from an outstanding vintage.

6. Description and aroma

Colour

Intense garnet; in mature bottles, a translucent, pale garnet colour with an orange-amber rim.

Bouquet

The complex, opulent and well-developed bouquet reveals a broad spectrum of aromas:

• Floral and spicy notes

• Tobacco, cherries, cocoa and fresh raspberry

• Sour cherry, sweet dark cherry and plum-like fruit

• Tar-like smoke and wilted roses

• Leather and earth

On the palate

The palate is rich, full-bodied and elegant. The tannins in this traditionally aged Barolo are well integrated after decades of ageing . In well-preserved bottles, the acidity is still fresh and lively. The finish is very long and lingering.

CellarTracker users describe the wine as having notes of dark cherry jam, smoky and earthy undertones, and a bubbling, long finish. One user awarded it 95 points, highlighting the opulent nose and the juicy, supple palate.

7. Condition and availability

For auction bottles, various fill levels are specified:

• 3 cm to 4.5 cm below the cork

• Some slight capsule corrosion and labelled signs of ageing

A bottle of this wine was offeredat K&L Wine Merchants with a starting bid of $125 (plus a 10% commission). The provenance was from stocks storedunder professionally controlled temperature and humidity conditions.

Given its age, sedimentis to be expected – decanting is recommended.

8. Conclusion

The Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalletto 1978 is a classic, traditional Barolo from one of Piedmont’s most outstanding vintages. With an average rating of 91.7 points on CellarTracker, it ranks among the most prized collector’s items of its era. The wine embodies the elegance and power of the Monfalletto vineyard in La Morra and stands as a living testament to the Cordero di Montezemolo family’s wine-making tradition spanning almost 700 years – a Barolo for connoisseurs and collectors that bears the hallmark of one of Piedmont’smost distinguished families.