TN: 2016 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Arione (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo)

  • 2016 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Arione - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (3/9/2022)
    Handily one of the best young Barolos I’ve ever had. The purity and brightness of the 2016 vintage comes through so well here. The perfume on the nose is extraordinarily intense and intoxicating – the rose aroma is intense, as well as sweet raspberries and red cherries. On the palate, this is silky in texture with no sharp edges until the finish where the tannins pop out a little bit, which isn’t unexpected given that this is young nebbiolo, after all. From what I remember from barrel-tasting the 2015 version, I would give the edge to the 2016. – it’s lighter and more elegant. (95 pts.)
1 Like

Damn. This was one of the few great '16s I passed on. I think these '16s are special wines that will be the stuff of legend someday.

Thanks for the early taste. My few bottles are buried deep in the offsite.

Thanks for the report. 14.5%? Conterno’s barberas packing extra heat lately, wondering if it affects the nebs.

Nice note! How much air did you give it before tasting?

None. Young nebbiolo should be popped and poured.

2 Likes

They’ve been floating around 15% since 2008.

You are truly the king of bullet-taking. Thank you for your service.