Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala DOCG 2021 MAGNUM

Aldo Conterno Barolo 'Cicala' 2021 (Magnum)The "Monumental Legend" – The Finest Cicala Ever Made?

🇮🇹 The VibeIf you have the 2021 Cicala in a Magnum, you are holding what critics are already calling a "legend in the glass." While 2020 was a year of classic harmony, 2021 is the "Perfect Storm" vintage—combining breathtaking intensity with a vertical, mineral precision that has blown the minds of the world's top tasters. In the Magnum format, this wine isn't just a drink; it’s a generational heirloom.

The NoseThe aromatics of the 2021 are "staggering." It leads with a high-definition explosion of Parma violets, rose water, and ripe strawberries. But then, the true "Cicala" soul emerges: a deep, menacing bass note of iron, graphite, road tar, and white truffles. Critics have noted a unique "peppermint" and "orange peel" flick that gives it an incredibly lifted, sophisticated profile despite its raw power.

The TasteOn the palate, this is a "tour de force." It is full-bodied and "unfathomably deep," yet it feels refreshing and agile. You’ll find crunchy red cherry, raspberry, and rhubarb, all wrapped in masses of silky, finessed tannins. It stands "vertically" in the glass—meaning it has a linear, laser-like focus rather than being broad and soft. The finish is "kaleidoscopic," lasting for minutes with a salty, mineral tension.

Product SpecsFeatureRealityOriginVigna

Cicala, Bussia (Monforte d'Alba)FormatMagnum (1.5L) (Slow-aging perfection)Grapes100% Nebbiolo (Old vines, 40-45 years)Vinification30 days skin contact; 29 months in large Slavonian oakStats15.0% ABVCritical Score97-98 Points (James Suckling, Wine Spectator, Matthew Jukes)

Best Paired With:The "Big Reveal": This Magnum is for a table of 6-8 people. Pair it with braised venison, wild boar pappardelle, or a massive dry-aged Bistecca alla Fiorentina.The "Slow Burn": Because of its intense structure, it loves fatty, savory foods that can absorb the tannins.The "Truffle" Rule: If you can find fresh white truffles, shave them over simple buttered pasta. The wine's earthy "iron" notes will sing.Pro Tip: Matthew Jukes calls this "without doubt, the finest Cicala I have ever tasted." In a standard bottle, it's best from 2027–2050. In a Magnum, this wine is a "long-distance runner." It won't even start to hit its peak until 2032 or 2035, and it will easily last until 2060. If you open it now, decant it for at least 5 hours.