Conterno/Aldo Barolo Granbussia Riserva 2015

98 points Ian D'Agata Wine Review: "Deep red with little or no garnet. Menthol, red and black cherry, pine cones and musk, earth and licorice on the extremely deep nose. Then very spicy in the mouth, with concentrated musky licorice flavours complicated by camphor and mineral notes and lifted by a layered black pepper and sandalwood undertone. Youthfully chewy and quite structured, this is nonetheless a nimbly tannic wine that has plenty of acidity that will help it age extremely well. If you open this on the young side (say within the next eight years) then make sure you double decant it at least two hours ahead, then watch it develop and unfold its secrets slowly over the length of your dinner. But my suggestion is to really put this away in your cellar for another ten years, then enjoy for another twenty years after that. The sum of the nine hectares that make up Colonnello, Cicala and Romirasco, the Granbussia is almost always a blend of 70% Romirasco, 15% Cicala and 15% Colonnello, but in 2015, a very warm vintage, they selected not just the oldest vines of all these vineyards but from the western and more southern parts of each cru on the hillside where the three crus are located. This was done because these sections of the hillside are generally less warm than the other parts of the slope. Giacomo Conterno says this is one of his favourite young Granbussias in memory, and I can see why he thinks that, though I have other young Granbussia vintages that I have preferred to this one. It’s just a case of different strokes for different folks. Drinking window: 2034-2055. (11/23/24)"

97 points Bruce Sanderson (Wine Spectator): "[$1,000 list] Mellowing nicely, this red features overtones of white truffle, rose and autumn woods that complement the raspberry, cherry, sweet hay, iron and oak spice aromas and flavors. Supported by bracing acidity and a dense matrix of tannins, with a long, layered aftertaste. Compelling. Best from 2026 through 2048. (10/30/24)"

97 points Raffaele Vecchione (WinesCritic.com): "Extremely deep, rare and biting in the sensorial profile it shows notes of black plums, blackberries, sweet caramel, sage, bay leaves, wild myrtle, juniper berries, black tea leaves, maracuja and withered flowers. Energy and complexity emerge from the sip with well-pronounced tones of tomato leaves, ground cinnamon and graphite. Sweet liquorice and a subtle presence of pastry close the frame of aromas. Full body, silky tannins of very fine grain and a harmonious, pronounced, voluminous finish with a cutting vision. Drink now or grow old. (Nov 2024)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2015 Barolo Gran Bussia is a very sexy wine. Ripe, seamless and inviting, the 2015 is impeccably done. Fully ripe tannins wrap around a core of plum, blood orange, sweet spice, pomegranate and new French oak. All the elements are nicely balanced. There's a lot to like about the Gran Bussia, but I find the oak imprint a touch strong. On the other hand, at nearly ten years of age, the 2015 is quite fresh, which deserves to be noted. I find pricing for the Gran Bussia completely out of touch with reality, but it is a very beautiful wine, there's no doubt about it. Drink: 2024-2034. (Jan 2025)"