Giacomo Conterno Barolo Arione 2018 750ml

Name: Giacomo Conterno Barolo Arione 2018 750ml
Brand: Giacomo Conterno
SKU: 895718
Price: 257.85 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 95.8 (6 reviews)

Case of 6

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SKU 895718

$1,547.10/case

$257.85/bottle

Tariffs included

Availability: This is a Long-term Pre-arrival item and is available for online ordering only. This item will ship on a future date after a 4-8 months transfer time. For more about Pre-arrival orders, see FAQ.

Pre-arrival

Case Only

Minimum order 6 bottles

TWI 98pts

WA 96pts

DC 96pts

WS 95pts

VM 95pts

JD 95pts

See professional reviews

96-98 The 2018 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Arione is a deeper color than their Cerretta, with a little garnet tone at the rim. On the nose and palate there are lovely clear aromas, with plenty of bright red fruits, strawberries, spice, and pepper. The beautiful Arione vineyard that Roberto Conterno bought in 2015 in Serralunga ripens earlier than Francia and is south-south-west facing, which perhaps explains the impression of extra ripeness to the fruit. It has lots of very silty-textured tannins, like fine grains of sand, giving much more grip and firmness. The finish is long, lingering and savory. It is quite closed at present and not revealing its full identity but the potential for this wine looks very exciting.

Country: Italy
Region: Piedmont
Appellation: Barolo

Size: 750ml
Color: Red

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SKU: 895718 Category: Pre-arrival

More about this item

Winery

Giacomo Conterno

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Varietal

Nebbiolo

The Nebbiolo grape varietal is widely understood to be the fruit responsible for Italy's finest aged wines. However, its popularity and reliability as a grape which gives out outstanding flavors and aromas has led it to be planted in many countries around the world, with much success. These purple grapes are distinguishable by the fact that they take on a milky dust as they begin to reach maturity, leading many to claim that this is the reason for their unusual name, which means 'fog' in Italian. Nebbiolo grapes produce wines which have a wide range of beautiful and fascinating flavors, the most common of which are rich, dark and complex, such as violet, truffle, tobacco and prunes. They are generally aged for many years to balance out their characteristics, as their natural tannin levels tend to be very high.

Country

Italy

There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.

Region

Piedmont

Situated in the north-western part of Italy, the region of Piedmont is known worldwide and is highly respected for the quality of the wines produced there. Many of the most successful sub-regions in Piedmont produce many of the world's finest red wines, such as those made from the excellent Nebbiolo grape varietal in areas such as Barolo and Barbaresco. However, the historic wineries which typify this region use a relatively wide variety of grapes, including Dolcetto and Barbera for their red wines, which are typically aged and have a delightful velvety character. Piedmont isn't all about beautifully complex red wines, though, as it is also famed for high quality, elegant sparkling wines, notably the Asti wines made with the white Moscato grape. The region benefits from a range of terroirs which are often well expressed in the sparkling wines, and a wonderfully consistent climate ideal for vineyard cultivation.

Appellation

Barolo

Barolo’s star grape is Nebbiolo, a finicky yet expressive variety that reaches its zenith this unique terroir. The region’s distinct microclimates and soils contribute to Nebbiolo’s complexity, resulting in wines with robust tannins, high acidity, and exceptional aging potential. Barolo wines, often referred to as “the king of wines,” are characterized by their deep garnet hue and complex bouquet, offering aromas of roses, tar, truffles, and red fruit. The aging process is significant, requiring at least 38 months, with a minimum of 18 months spent in wooden casks. This meticulous craftsmanship results in wines that evolve beautifully over time, displaying a harmonious balance of power and finesse. For wine enthusiasts, exploring Barolo provides a captivating journey into the rich tapestry of Italian winemaking, showcasing the profound marriage of tradition, terroir, and Nebbiolo’s distinctive expression.

Ratings & Reviews

TWI 98pts

The Wine Independent

WA 96pts

Wine Advocate

94-96 Tasted from barrel, the 2018 Barolo Arione still has another year in botte and time in bottle before its commercial release. However, the wine shows a distinct personality that is immediately gentle and open-knit despite its very young age. With fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, there is ethereal softness here, but this characterization is relative considering the ample power and depth always associated with this site. It feels like this 2018 vintage is still warming up and is slowly putting on volume and weight. Its metamorphosis is far from complete. However, what you can read into the wine now is the quality of its fruit and its classic Nebbiolo aromas of wild berry, pressed violet, rust and blood orange.

DC 96pts

Decanter

With young soils and steep hills, the importance of Arione is easily understood. The southern exposure helped the quality in this vintage and the wine shows a restrained red currant fruit aroma with graceful cinnamon, sweet violet and watermelon, allied to an anise, almost herbal, whiff. Full, refreshing and very elegant yet not without a firm structure, it features an extracted chalky finish. It will age quite well for a 2018.

WS 95pts

Wine Spectator

Perfumed and suave, this red boasts cherry, strawberry, sandalwood, floral and mint aromas and flavors. This one is all about finesse and harmony, with its precision and balance providing a sense of seamlessness -- even at this youthful stage. The fruit, spice and savory elements linger on the aftertaste. Best from 2025 through 2043. 833 cases made.

VM 95pts

Vinous Media

The 2018 Barolo Arione is an imposing wine. It's presence alone is impossible to miss. Arione is a wine that demands attention. There is something wild and exotic - almost animalistic - about the Arione and the way it asserts itself. Time in the glass brings out scents of sage, menthol, white pepper and orange peel. A generous kick of Serralunga acidity and tannin punctuates the finish. It's still early days for Roberto Conterno's Barolo from Arione. I can't wait to see how this ages.

JD 95pts

Jeb Dunnuck

There is surprising depth for the vintage in the 2018 Barolo Arione, with licorice, black truffle, violet, and cherry lozenge. Medium to full-bodied, with fleshy cherry fruit, it is long and luxurious on the palate, with fine tannins and a velvety mouthfeel. A fantastic wine from Roberto Conterno, it is an outstanding wine to drink right now or over the coming 20 years.