ArtisanWineDepot.com

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2006 Barolo Cicala is another serious, austere Barolo that is tightly wound at this stage. Here the fruit is darker and more intense than in the Colonnello, while the aromatics tend towards menthol, pine, spices and all things balsamic. Sweet, powerful and layered, the 2006 Cicala finishes with a blast of roasted coffee beans, licorice and mint. This is an absolutely wonderful, complete Barolo from Aldo Conterno. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.

Aldo Conterno is back. After a period of inconsistent wines (by this house’s standards) in the mid- to late-1990s, Conterno once again takes its place among the region’s top producers. Today the estate is run by Aldo Conterno’s three sons Giacomo, Franco and Stefano Conterno who look after vineyards, marketing, and winemaking respectively. Based on the wines I have tasted recently this venerable property looks to be in great hands for the future. The 2005s are a worthy follow-up to the hugely successful 2004s, leaving no doubt that 2004 and 2005 are the finest back to back vintages here since the historic 1989 and 1990. The 2005 Barolos represent a new point of arrival after the estate embarked on a major rethinking of its work in the vineyards in the late 1990s, which involved among other things shorter winter pruning (designed to lower yields naturally) and a greater amount of attention to canopy management. In 2005 the estate harvested only a portion of each of its vineyards before the rains, while some of the fruit was brought in after the rains. In the end, only the fruit that was harvested before the inclement weather set in was bottled, so overall production in 2005 is roughly 40% of normal. On the plus side, there will be a small amount of Granbussia. These gorgeous, uplifting 2005 Barolos firmed up quite a bit in the glass, suggesting they are headed for a slumber that hopefully won’t last too long, as the wines are truly special. Stylistically the wines are made in the medium-bodied style that is characteristic of the 2005 Barolos, but offer terrific harmony and drinkability." - Antonio Galloni (Feb 2010)

94 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:
"A beautiful red, balancing its sweet cherry, berry, floral and spice flavors effortlessly with the vibrant, firmly structured frame. Remains elegant through the long rose- and strawberry-infused aftertaste. Terrific harmony. Best from 2012 through 2030. 400 cases imported." –BS (Mar 31, 2011)

93+ Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:
"Good deep red. Reticent, musky aromas of black cherry, game, tar and licorice; sweet but youthfully closed. Then much more backward and hard to taste than the Colonnello, showing a wilder quality and less early sweetness of fruit. Serious tannins currently give the finish a toughness. This will need a decade of aging." - Stephen Tanzer (Nov/Dec '09)

95 Points & "Collectibles" - Wine Spectator Magazine (2007 vintage):
"Scented with black cherry and plum, this international-style red shows plenty of smoky, toasty oak on the palate.
It’s rich, with sweet fruit, ample power and complexity, but will take some time to integrate the tannins. Best from 2016 through 2035. 300 cases imported." —B.S. (April 30, 2012)

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2007 vintage):
"The 2007 Barolo Cicala is every bit as compelling as the Colonello, although it is completely different in its personality. Here the poor soils yield a massively tannic Barolo infused with minerals, violets, menthol, tar and new leather. While the Colonello is a more overt, fruit-driven Barolo, the Cicala plays off its structural components to a far greater degree. The wine’s inner perfume and minerality dazzle from start to finish. This is another magnificent Barolo from Aldo Conterno. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032." - Antonio Galloni (Feb 2011)

94 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (2007 vintage):
"Saturated red-ruby color.  Deeper, warmer aromas than the Colonnello, showing strong minerality but a bit lower-toned nonetheless.  Very rich and large-scaled wine with extravagant sweetness to its very ripe flavors of dark berries, bitter chocolate, leather and smoke.  This doesn't have the acidity of the 2008 Cicala but the tannins are more harmonious today.  Finishes very rich and very long, with big but nicely buffered tannins." - Stephen Tanzer (Nov/Oct '11)

93+ Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (2008 vintage):
"Full, bright ruby-red.  Deep aromas of black cherry, cassis, licorice, minerals and menthol.  Rich, sweet and broad, with a lush texture and impressive fullness to the black fruit flavors.  Less easygoing today than the Colonnello but more filled in.  Finishes with granular tannins and impressive length.  The sandy, calcareous soil here is more typical of Monforte and Castiglione Falletto, notes Giacomo Conterno." - Stephen Tanzer (Nov/Oct '11)