Giacomo Conterno Arione, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 1.5L

For 45 years, until his death in 2004, Giovanni Conterno forged a reputation as perhaps the greatest of all Barolo producers, irrespective of style. The wines he made were the quintessence of “traditional” Barolo: rich, powerful, massively structured, and capable of long development in bottle. 

Giovanni left the world many great vintages of Barolo, including 1964, 1971, 1978, 1985, 1990, 1996, 1999 and 2001. But possibly his greatest legacy was to hand over his important work to his gifted son Roberto. A brilliant winemaker in his own right, Roberto not only shares his father’s gifts but is equally determined to uphold his family’s traditions. He could have followed other young Langhe winemakers into modernism, but he never will. In his words, the wines of Giacomo Conterno will always belong to the generations that came before him.

"The fifth vintage of this wine (the vineyard was purchased in 2015) and tasted from barrel, the 2020 Barolo Arione pours a jeweled ruby hue, the 2020 Barolo Arione expresses freshness and great clarity in its notes of apricot, pristine cherry, and crushed stones. This medium-bodied red is long on the palate and has a great finish, with fine tannins, refreshing acidity, and outstanding balance. It is already showing gorgeous depth and complexity." Jeb Dunnuck 96

"The Giacomo Conterno 2020 Barolo Arione strikes on the darker and more saturated side of the Nebbiolo spectrum. This vineyard site in Serralunga d'Alba reveals dark fruit and scorched earth, but those baritone aromas are given lift by a brilliant pop of sweet red cherry. The 2020 vintage is actually less intense and concentrated compared to past releases, and you can count on this wine for a special touch of elegance. It closes with a silky and very precise sense of structure. Winemaking is the same for most of the estate wines. The Arione saw three weeks of skin maceration with submerged cap, a few punch-downs, pump-overs and délestage. Cap management has been the same at this estate for 20 or 30 years. The results offer pretty fruit succulence with impressively glossy tannins." Wine Advocate 96