The 2008 Barolo Riserva Granbussia is an unexpected wine and is perhaps the least characteristic of the three Granbussia vintages presented in this mini vertical. The wine opens to a deeply ruby red color and bright aromas that show some very distant touches of jam or marmalade. This is a big surprise given the generally cooler conditions of the vintage. Franco Conterno tells me fruit was harvested very late —at great risk—during the first week of November. The Nebbiolo grape loves a long growing season. The aromas are dense and dark with blackberry, plum and black fruit. Those super charged tones continue with leather, spice and tar.

The 2005 Barolo Riserva Granbussia represents a selection of fruit from the oldest vines. This is an elegant and pure expression of Nebbiolo that shows a dark ruby hue and deeply finessed aromas of wild berry, wet earth, iron, black truffle and some sweet baking spice. This is an elegant and synthetic interpretation of the greater Bussia cru that extends down the crest of a long hill from Monteforte d'Alba to Barolo. The finish is elegant, silky and fine. Only 2,900 bottles were made.