Giacomo Conterno Barolo ‘Arione’ 2017

Roberto acquired a portion of the Arione Cru in 2015. Just under 6 Ha for 6 million euro. It is adjacent to the Francia vineyard, long responsible for both the Barolo ‘Cascina Francia’ and ‘Monfortino’ Riserva in the very southern end of Serralunga. The contours of Arione follow on directly from Francia and the soil profiles are similar with a limestone base compared to Cerretta’s clay base.

The 2017 Barolo Arione is so incredibly distinctive. Heady savory, earthy, lavender and mineral accents wrap around a core of dark Nebbiolo fruit in a potent, muscular Serralunga that speaks with gravitas and authority. There is something mysterious about Arione, something that is not easily understood, but that is very much at the heart of its personality. The depth, presence and tannic clout are Serralunga at its best. I can’t wait to check in on the 2017 in another few years, or decades.

Antonio Galloni, Vinous