Giacomo Conterno Barolo Arione 2021 750ml

Product Info

97+pts Vinous Media
The 2021 Barolo Arione is a wine of exquisite finesse and elegance. The bouquet alone is immediately arresting. Then again, that is such an Arione signature. Sage, rose petal, mint, orange peel and dried flowers begin to emerge over time. Nearly seamless tannins and exceptional balance add to its total allure, while strong floral and savory accents punctuate the finish. Drinking Window 2029 – 2046

Roberto Conterno has built an impressive empire in the 20 or so years that he has been fully in charge of his family’s winery. I remember the days when it was a one-man show. Back then, Conterno pretty much did it all himself, including answering the phone. Making great wine is hard enough, but Conterno has proven to be equally skilled at the entrepreneurial side of running a business that continues to grow with the acquisition of vineyards, the purchase of Nervi winery in Gattinara and peripheral businesses in glassware and automated tractors for viticulture. During my November visit, much of the local buzz centered on Conterno’s Belsit in Langa restaurant, the new incarnation of Ristorante Bovio, which was in a sort of soft opening at the time. I did have a very good meal there, but it’s too early in the restaurant’s life to be able to offer a reliable assessment. One thing that did strike me, though, was Conterno’s desire to champion the wines of many producers, not just his own, at far more accessible prices than what has become the norm at many other restaurants in the region. Hopefully that will prove to be a sustainable business model.

As for the wines, readers will find two magnificent vintages in 2021 and 2020. I imagine these Barolos will go neck-and-neck over the coming years and decades. The 2021s are a bit more vibrant and focused, while the 2020s are a touch more open, without veering into excessive opulence. Simply put, Conterno has very few peers when it comes to exceptionally high quality and consistency. - By Antonio Galloni on January 2025

94pts Robert Parker
Roberto Conterno bought this parcel in Arione in 2015 and was well aware of the character and power of its fruit. The Giacomo Conterno 2021 Nebbiolo d'Alba Vigna Arione pretty much follows the same winemaking procedures as Barolo. It spends three years in large oak cask and goes to market about four months after bottling. The first vintage produced was officially 2019 (although a special charity edition was produced in 2015), with a current production of 7,000 bottles. You grasp the complexity and inner strength of Nebbiolo with lovely side notes of pressed violet, licorice and white cherry. Published: Jan 30, 2025 Reviewed by: Monica Larner

Terroir
The Arione vineyard lies in Serralunga d’Alba, one of Barolo’s most revered communes, particularly prized for producing wines of structure, longevity, and mineral intensity. The site is situated on south-facing slopes with elevations that allow for excellent sun exposure while benefiting from cooling air currents that preserve acidity and aromatic precision. Arione’s soils are dominated by calcareous marl with high limestone content, interspersed with clay, contributing both power and finely etched tannins.

The 2021 vintage in Barolo is widely regarded as a classic year, offering balance between ripeness and freshness. A relatively even growing season allowed Nebbiolo to reach full phenolic maturity without excessive heat stress, resulting in wines that emphasize clarity, structure, and transparency of site rather than overt opulence. In Arione, these conditions yielded fruit of exceptional concentration paired with the vineyard’s signature firmness and mineral depth.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Giacomo Conterno’s approach remains steadfastly traditional and uncompromising. The Arione is produced from 100% Nebbiolo, fermented with native yeasts in large wooden vats with extended maceration to extract structure and complexity. Aging takes place over several years in large Slavonian oak botti, allowing the wine to evolve slowly while preserving purity of fruit and terroir expression.

There is no attempt to soften or polish the wine through modern techniques. Instead, time, oxygen, and patience guide its development. The result is a Barolo that reflects both the rigor of the vineyard and the house’s long-held philosophy: wines built for longevity, precision, and intellectual depth rather than immediate approachability.

Tasting Notes
The 2021 Arione opens with a tightly wound yet expressive bouquet of rose petal, dried cherry, and red currant, layered with notes of tar, crushed stone, and subtle herbal tones. As the wine opens, hints of anise, blood orange, and earthy spice emerge, revealing increasing aromatic complexity with air.

On the palate, the wine is powerful and structured, driven by firm, finely grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Flavors of red berry fruit and sour cherry are framed by iron-rich minerality and savory undertones that reflect Serralunga’s limestone soils. The mid-palate is dense yet controlled, showing depth without heaviness, while the structure remains taut and architectural.

The finish is long, austere, and resonant, leaving impressions of mineral tension, dried flowers, and subtle spice that linger well beyond the final sip.

Food Pairing & Service
Dishes featuring truffles, whether shaved over tajarin, risotto, or egg-based preparations, highlight Nebbiolo’s inherent aromatic profile of dried rose and earth. Wild game such as venison, boar, or duck—particularly when prepared with herbs, reduction sauces, or mushroom-based accompaniments—complements the wine’s savory undertones and iron-rich character. Aged cheeses, especially firm Alpine styles or well-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, can also provide a rewarding contrast to the wine’s precision and grip.

From a service perspective, Arione 2021 benefits greatly from extended aeration in its youth. Decanting for several hours helps soften the tannins and allows the aromatic complexity to unfold gradually. Serve at 60–64°F (16–18°C) in large-bowled glasses to fully capture its evolving bouquet. While it can be enjoyed with the right preparation today, this is a wine designed for long-term cellaring, and those willing to wait two to three decades will be rewarded with exceptional harmony, depth, and tertiary complexity.