Aldo Conterno Il Favot 2022

Aldo Conterno 'Il Favot' Langhe Nebbiolo 2022

The "Solar Powered" Baby Barolo – Ripe, Radiant, and Ready

The Vibe

If the 2021 Il Favot was "classic and chiseled," the 2022 vintage is the wine’s more exuberant, sun-drenched sibling. 2022 in Piedmont was a hot, dry year, but because Aldo Conterno’s vines in Bussia sit at high altitudes, they managed to capture that intense Mediterranean warmth without losing their "cool" Nebbiolo soul. This is the ultimate "immediate gratification" wine from an estate that usually demands you wait decades before pulling a cork.

The Nose

The nose is a technicolor explosion of wild strawberries, dried cherries, and red currants. Because of the warmer vintage, the fruit smells "darker" and more concentrated than usual. There is a distinct spicy-sweet profile here—think cinnamon, star anise, and camphor—layered over the classic Conterno signature of rose petals and earthy brushwood. It’s incredibly aromatic; you’ll smell it before the glass even reaches your face.

The Taste

On the palate, the 2022 is full-bodied and surprisingly dense for a Langhe Nebbiolo. The short 6–8 day maceration (skin contact) worked wonders in this hot year, preventing the tannins from becoming too "grippy." Instead, they are velvety and sandy, providing a beautiful structure for flavors of blood orange, licorice, and black tea. It has a "creamy" mouthfeel that is very unusual for Nebbiolo, finished with a shot of crisp acidity that keeps it from feeling "heavy."

Product Specs

Best Paired With:

• The "Warm" Match: Dry-aged beef, grilled lamb with garlic, or venison with a cherry reduction.

• The Pasta: Truffle-shaved tajarin or a rich, slow-cooked duck ragù.

• The Savory Choice: Strong, matured cheeses or a porcini mushroom risotto.

Pro Tip

In 2026, the 2022 Il Favot is showing off its "youthful baby fat." It is very approachable, but those new French oak barriques are still integrating. Give it a 45-minute decant to let the vanilla and cinnamon spice settle into the fruit. It’s one of the few Nebbiolos that actually performs better when it’s not served too cold—aim for 17–18°C.