Aldo Conterno Barolo DOCG Riserva Granbussia 2015

The "Modern Classic" – A Masterclass in Patience

The Vibe

If you are holding a bottle of the 2015 Granbussia, you are witnessing the "current" pinnacle of the Aldo Conterno estate. In keeping with the house tradition of extreme patience, this wine was only released in late 2024 / early 2025, nearly a decade after the grapes were picked.

The 2015 vintage in Barolo is often described as "sunny and harmonious." It didn't have the brutal heat of 2017 or the cold austerity of some other years; it was a balanced, "textbook" year that allowed the Nebbiolo to ripen perfectly. For the Granbussia, this means a wine that has immense power but is wrapped in a surprisingly silky, approachable velvet.

The Nose

The 2015 is famous for its "high-definition" aromatics. It hits you with macerated cherries, black plums, and dried rose petals. Because it spent nearly nine years in the Conterno cellars before release, it has already developed deep, soulful "forest floor" notes: white truffle, autumn leaves, and licorice. There is also a very cool, refreshing streak of menthol and eucalyptus that keeps the nose feeling lifted despite its richness.

The Taste

On the palate, the 2015 is a "giant in silk pajamas." It is incredibly full-bodied and concentrated. You get a sweet, inviting core of dark red fruit, but then the architecture kicks in. The tannins are firm, assertive, and "chalky," typical of the Bussia terroir, but they are so finely polished that they don't feel aggressive. It finishes with a stunning mix of blood orange zest, tobacco, and a salty, stony minerality that lingers for minutes.

Product Specs

Best Paired With:

• The "Barolo" Feast: Braised beef (Brasato) or a rich tajarin pasta with an excessive amount of butter and shaved white truffles.

• The Meat: Roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic—the savory herbs act as a bridge to the wine's balsamic notes.

• The Reflection: Honestly, a wine this complex is often best enjoyed at the end of a meal with just a piece of aged Castelmagno cheese.

Pro Tip: Even though this was released in 2024/2025, it is technically still a "baby." If you are drinking it in 2026, decant it for at least 3 hours. It needs time to shake off its "cellar sleep" and let those complex truffle and menthol aromas expand. It will easily age until 2050 and beyond.