Giacomo Conterno - Barolo - DOCG - Serralunga d'Alba - Cascina Arione - 2020

Giacomo Conterno - Arione - Barolo - Most loved and sought after Barolo.

The Cru Arione wines of Giacomo Conterno are always made in a classical way. Roberto still uses the principles of his grandfather Giovanni. The wines are strict and firm, but at the same time never hard or over-concentrated. The Arione has always had a very great reputation. The wine is always elegant in style.

This Barolo opens with a deep, layered nose of ripe cherries, rose petals, tar and spices. Subtle notes of liquorice, balsamic and tobacco betray its youthful vigor and longevity. Powerful on the palate, but perfectly balanced. The tannins are present but silky. Flavours of ripe red fruit, orange peel, minerality and a long, persistent finish with savoury earthy notes.

Cascina Arione is a historic parcel in Serralunga d'Alba that was acquired by Giacomo Conterno in 2015. The vineyard is south-west facing and is located at an altitude of around 400 metres. Cascina Arione is located on calcareous marl with clay and iron-containing components, typical of Serralunga d'Alba. This soil contributes to the structure, strength and ageing potential of the wine. The vineyard was replanted between 2015 and 2016 with carefully selected Nebbiolo clones from Conterno's own mass selection. The vines were therefore at the beginning of their productive life phase in 2020.

The 2020 vintage was a classic and balanced year in the Langhe. Spring was mild, followed by a warm, even summer. A dry late summer ensured optimal ripening of the Nebbiolo. The grapes for this Barolo were harvested at the end of October 2020, at the moment of perfect phenolic ripeness. The late harvest guarantees depth, aromatic intensity and balance. Fermentation takes place spontaneously in large wooden barrels, with a long maceration of the skins for up to 3-4 weeks. Everything under the supervision of Roberto Conterno, with minimal intervention and maximum expression of terroir. After fermentation, the wine is aged for about 30 months in large Slavonian oak botti. No barrique, no tricks – pure nature, as Conterno has been doing for generations.

Wine and food combination
This wine deserves a dish of equal intensity. Think of brasato al Barolo, game stew, mushroom risotto with truffle or matured Parmigiano Reggiano.

About Giacomo Conterno:
Giacomo Conterno is a leading winery in the Barolo region, with a rich history dating back to 1908. Led by Roberto Conterno, the estate produces wines of exceptional quality, sourced from prestigious vineyards such as Cascina Francia, Cerretta and Arione. With a strong focus on traditional methods and an uncompromising approach to quality, Giacomo Conterno wines remain a reference point for Barolo lovers worldwide.

96/100 Points Robert Parker

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.