Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala DOCG 2022

Power and Heart of Bussia – Dark Fruit, Iron-Driven Minerality, and Monumental Structure

Produced by the iconic Poderi Aldo Conterno estate, Cicala is one of the three legendary single-vineyard (MGA) cru Barolos in the winery's lineup. Situated in the heart of the Bussia cru, the Cicala parcel features soils rich in calcareous marl, clay, and iron-bearing minerals, which gift the wine with its signature muscular structure, dark fruit depth, and exceptional longevity.

The 2022 vintage yields superb ripeness, concentrated fruit extract, and pristine balance. Cicala is traditionally recognized as the most powerful and masculine of Conterno's single-vineyard bottlings, smoothed into aristocratic harmony through extended traditional aging in large Slavonian oak casks (botti grandi).

🍷 Tasting Profile (2026 Perspective)

• The Nose: Deep, Structured, and Complex. Opens with bold aromas of ripe black cherry, blackberry, and dark plum, complemented by lifted notes of violet, leather, licorice, earthy truffle, and rustic hints of smoke and graphite.

• The Palate: Powerful, Dense, and Core-Driven. Full-bodied, broad, and commanding on the palate. The tannins are remarkably firm, dense, and ripe, balanced by a vibrant, stony acidity that drives length through the mid-palate.

• The Finish: Extremely Long, Powerful, and Spicy. Concludes with a lingering, savory echo of dark berries, cured leather, and wild herbs.

📋 Technical Snapshot

Pro Tip

Serve at 16–18°C. When opened in its youth (2026), the wine benefits immensely from at least 3–4 hours of decanting.

• The Classic Italian Match: Phenomenal alongside Brasato (braised beef), wild boar stews, venison loin, or autumn dishes finished with fresh White Truffle.

• The Cheese Match: Outstanding paired with mature, assertive cheeses such as Castelmagno or long-aged Parmigiano-Reggiano.

• The "Nordic" Match: Perfect paired with Slow-braised Bear or Elk Roast served with a dark juniper-berry game reduction and wild porcini mushrooms. Cicala's robust tannic backbone and bright acidity slice straight through rich game fat while amplifying complex forest-floor aromatics.