Castello Conti

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Country of Origin: Italy
Location: Boca, Alto Piemonte
People: Elena, Anna & Paola Conti, Owners & Winemakers
Viticulture: Practicing Biodynamic

Items

Castello Conti 2020 Spanna (Nebbiolo), Colline Novaresi DOC Login AG 90 In Stock
Castello Conti 1989 'Castello Conti' Boca DOC Login <1 Case
Castello Conti 2016 'Il Rosso Delle Donne' Boca DOC Login TFL NR
Castello Conti 2020 'Origini' Vino Rosso (Boca) Login AG 90 In Stock

The story of the Conti sisters, one of the most exciting growers in the DOC, is a twofold triumph: as ultra-committed winegrowers who are reclaiming and replanting old vineyards in this difficult-to-farm zone, they are part of a larger effort to restore the Alto Piemonte to its pre-phylloxera glory and productivity; and, as visionary, trend-bucking women in a deeply conservative rural area, they have gradually overcome the skepticism and resistance of the local old timers, establishing themselves as undeniable leaders in the region. Elena, Paola, and Anna Conti are no newcomers, either; their father Ermanno, from whom they took over between 2002 and 2003, was one of the founders of the Boca DOC in the late 1960s, persisting in eking out wine from his single hectare there even as total production neared extinction during its nadir in the 1980s and ‘90s.

Today, the sisters farm three total hectares in the zone, including a hectare and a half they cleared and replanted beginning in 2015, and their rigorous, biodynamically informed viticultural practices and extreme non-interventionism in the cellar place them squarely in the region’s vanguard. Indigenous yeast are used in fermentation and little to no sulphur is applied during the elevage and at bottling. In fact, several experimental cuvees are bottled entirely without the application of sulphur.

The Boca DOC, one of the smallest appellations in the Alto Piemonte, encompasses only twelve hectares spread over five villages (Boca, Maggiora, Cavallino, Prato Sesia, Grignasco) and split among eleven different vineyard owners. While Nebbiolo is the principal grape, Vespolina and Uva Rara are integral parts of the DOC as well. The soils are composed of limestone, clay and sand, similar in profile to Gattinara, which is a short 10km drive to the southwest. However, the Boca DOC has a distinctly different structure from its neighbor, Gattinara. It is more elegant and less masculine, and requires that the wines must be aged three years prior to release.

Wines from the Conti sisters announce with authority the potential for absolute greatness—not just greatness “for the region,” but a greatness on par with any Nebbiolo-based wine from anywhere—in this exciting place. Whether tasted in their youth or after decades, these are some of the most enchanting Nebbiolo wines that to be discovered.

Vinous 6/22/2018
"One of the historic names in the tiny Boca appellation, Conti crafts beautifully pure wines that faithfully capture the personality of the region. The entry-level Origini and Nebbiolo Colline Novaresi are both terrific, while the flagship Boca is truly stellar. Readers will not want to miss these wines."


Social Media
Instagram: @cantinedelcastelloconti  @pablaconti, @elena.conti.vinoboca
Castello Conti Facebook
Twitter: @conti_paola

Reviews

  • Castello Conti 2016 'Il Rosso Delle Donne' Boca DOC
    The Feiring Line
    Rating: NR (2/2/2021)

    The 2016 is the first vintage Elena Conti fermented and aged the Boca in a conical wooden tank. Of course 2016 is a beautiful vintage but the change still seems to have had an effect on the tannin structure. It’s finer. The balance is rounder with a lacy breeze and a fresher dollop of fruit, bits of rose and licorice. It’s easier to drink now, but the tannins still reflect their vintage and heritage.
  • Castello Conti 2020 Spanna (Nebbiolo), Colline Novaresi DOC
    Vinous
    Rating: 90 (3/15/2022)

    Castello Conti's 2020 Spanna (Nebbiolo) is laced with crushed red berry fruit, spice, game, licorice and incense. There's a bit of wildness to this entry-level Nebbiolo, but all the elements are nicely integrated just the same.
  • Castello Conti 2020 'Origini' Vino Rosso (Boca)
    Vinous
    Rating: 90 (11/15/2022)

    The 2020 Origini is a supple, fruity entry-level offering to drink now and over the next handful of years. This Nebbiolo-based blend is not terribly complex, but it sure is delicious. The purity of the dark red/plum fruit is impossible to resist, as are the soft curves.