Barolo Fontanafredda 1959
This 1959 Barolo from Fontanafredda originates from Piedmont in northwestern Italy, a prestigious wine region surrounded by the Alps. The wine is produced in the Barolo area, located in the dramatic, steep hills of the Langhe subregion southwest of Alba. Here, the characteristic autumn morning fog protects the vineyards, ensuring a long and perfect ripening period for the grapes. In this region, the 1959 vintage achieved a score of 95 points and is described as rich and legendary. The wine is crafted from Nebbiolo, an Italian top grape deeply tied to Barolo and Barbaresco, which is renowned for yielding elegant wines with great structure.
Fontanafredda boasts an origin story tied to Italian royalty. The estate was founded in 1858 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy's first king after unification, as a gift for his mistress and later wife, Rosa Vercellana, affectionately known as 'Bella Rosin'. Their son, Emanuele Alberto, Count of Mirafiore, further developed the winery and released the property's first Barolo label with the 1878 vintage. The estate's distinctive buildings, painted with brown and ochre stripes, proudly display the Savoy colors as a lasting monument to this royal heritage. Historical details from the bottle's original tags describe the property as a centenary domain situated in the strong Piedmontese hills, an area noted for wine production since Roman times and cited by Pliny.
Within the Barolo appellation, Fontanafredda holds a unique status. The entire estate constitutes its own MGA and monopole-cru, a rarity in a region where most crus are divided among numerous owners. The property encompasses 120 hectares of vineyards within a total estate of over 300 hectares, making it the largest contiguous vineyard in Italy. The historical labels emphasize the estate's continuous improvement through careful vine selection and the application of rational methods of vinification, conservation, and refinement. Over the decades, the winery has changed hands, being sold to the Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank in 1931, before eventually entering a modern era of ownership under Oscar Farinetti and Luca Baffigo.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Piedmont
Piedmont (which literally means "at the foot of the mountain") is located in northwestern Italy, surrounded by the Alps. It is considered one of the world's absolute most prestigious wine regions. The area is known for small, passionate, family-run wineries and a huge focus on terroir (how the soil and microclimate affect the wine).
Classic characteristics of Piedmont:
The royal wines: This is where the world-famous, complex and expensive red wines Barolo and Barbaresco come from (both made from 100% Nebbiolo).
Everyday heroes: In addition to Nebbiolo, the region is famous for the grapes Barbera (juicy, acidic and incredibly popular) and Dolcetto (dark, soft and fruity).
The white and sweet: Piedmont also makes the crisp white wine Gavi and the famous, lightly sparkling dessert bubbles Moscato d'Asti.
The landscape: Dramatic, steep hills – especially in the Langhe sub-area. The hills are often shrouded in thick morning mist in autumn, which protects the grapes and allows for a long, perfect ripening.
Gastronomy: An absolute mecca for food lovers. The area is world famous for the exclusive white truffles from Alba, hazelnuts and rich, simmered dishes that scream with a glass of local red wine.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
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