Located in Monforte d'Alba, Poderi Aldo Conterno is considered one of the finest producers in the region. The son of legendary producer Giacomo Conterno, Aldo formed his own estate in 1969 and was inspired by the modernist techniques of Angelo Gaja. Aldo sadly passed away in May 2012 and the estate is now run by his three sons, Franco, Stefano and Giacomo. They tend 25 hectares of vines including three cru vineyards on the famed Bussia slope in Monforte d'Alba. These three vineyard sites, Cicala, Colonello and Romirasco are the flagship wines from the estate through the entire range from the entry level Bussia Soprana is superb.

The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2016 Barolo Bussia Cicala offers a ripe fruit profile with layers of menthol and medicinal herb. The finish is beautiful, long and chalky, and you don't get as much alcohol in the Cicala (compared to Romirasco). The fruit is dried and streamlined, and this wine does show good promise for aging. The tannins are beautiful, coating your teeth and palate with no bitter edge. About 6,000 bottles were made. Date: July 2020; Drink: 2024-2045; Rating: 96 Points; Monica Larner; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

A really exotic red, showing burnt orange-peel to the dried-strawberry, chocolate-powder and light toasted-oak character. It’s full-bodied and chewy, yet ever so polished. A wild wine. Drink after 2022 and onwards. Date Tasted: Aug 2020; Rating: 98 Points; James Suckling