Wine advocate 97/100 Size:1.5 l Type:Red Country:Italy Region:Piemonte Denomination:Barolo DOCG Grapes:Nebbiolo 100% Aging:In large wooden barrels for 48 months Alcohol content:14.5% Service temperature:18/20°C Vintage: 2017 The latest addition to the Conterno family, Barolo Arione immediately and rightfully entered the Olympus of Langa with a powerful, yet elegant interpretation of a special cru located on the southern border of the Serralunga communal area and adjacent to Cascina Francia. It was 2014 when Roberto Conterno decided to invest a hefty sum to acquire the nine hectares of the Arione Vineyard from the Rosso brothers of Castiglione Falletto: at the time there was much talk about the figures involved, but there is to be said that we are in the Langhe and in the heart of Barolo, an area that sees few hectares available to many estates that rightly compete for the best plots. Years pass and generations follow, but Conterno Giacomo never makes a mistake with a wine, and in fact since the 2015 vintage Barolo Arione has become a new cult favorite in demand on the market on par with the more historic Barolo Francia. Arione does not deviate from the tradition of the area and immediately reveals great elegance and intensity, which is expected to evolve more and more over time. Still not full garnet and strongly shaded to ruby, concentrated but sinuous in the glass, it opens to the taster in a straightforward way, ranging from floral notes of wilted violets to berries such as blackberry and blueberry, from sweet spices and blond tobacco to mineral and underbrush notes. In the mouth, too, it is decidedly direct, powerful, never aggressive and still austere, in keeping with tradition. The tannin is full-bodied, solid, the kind that can only improve with time but is already refined without overpowering. The acidity is well balanced and still well present, the minerality is felt well but without disturbing while the finish is well prolonged and pleasant in its depth. A Barolo with a great present and a great future ahead for those who have the patience to wait for it.