Giacomo Conterno Arione Barolo 2018 DBMG

Giacomo Conterno’s Arione Barolo 2018 in Double Magnum (3 L) captures the depth and power of one of Serralunga d’Alba’s most exciting crus, presented in a format made for serious cellaring and memorable occasions. This is a classically styled, slow‑maturing Barolo, combining concentration, structure and a striking clarity of fruit. The Arione vineyard is a relatively recent addition to the Conterno portfolio, yet in a short time it has earned a reputation for Barolo with pronounced “shoulders,” firm tannins and incredible length, continuing the estate’s historic legacy for ageworthy Nebbiolo.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Arione Barolo shows a deep garnet core with a luminous, brick‑tinged rim that hints at its youthful evolution and long life ahead. The nose opens slowly and purposefully: wild cherry, redcurrant and plum layer over notes of dried rose petals, violet and sweet herbs, followed by darker tones of licorice, tobacco leaf, tar, and a subtle, smoky, almost campfire‑ash nuance that adds a vertical lift and savory complexity. On the palate, this is structured and authoritative yet finely detailed. Ripe red and purple fruits spread evenly across the mouth, supported by firm, chalky tannins and a vivid spine of acidity that keeps everything focused. Flavors of sour cherry, pomegranate, cranberry and black raspberry mingle with hints of blood orange zest, anise, crushed stone and a touch of cocoa and cedar. The finish is long, persistent and mouth‑coating, driven by that tarry, smoky undertone and a mineral tension that stretches out the aftertaste. In Double Magnum, this wine has outstanding aging potential; it will benefit from patience and should evolve gracefully for two to three decades or more, developing increasing notes of truffle, dried flowers, leather and balsamic spice over time.

Production
Arione is a high‑quality vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba, one of Barolo’s most powerful communes, with steep, well‑exposed slopes and predominantly calcareous clay and marl soils that naturally yield Nebbiolo of great structure and intensity. The site’s exposure and altitude allow for slow, even ripening, concentrating flavor while preserving acidity. Grapes are hand‑harvested at optimal maturity, with strict selection in the vineyard and cellar to ensure only the best clusters make it into the final wine. In keeping with the traditional Conterno style, fermentation takes place in large vats with an extended maceration on the skins to extract color, tannin and aromatic complexity. The wine is then aged for several years in large Slavonian oak botti, a method that respects the character of the fruit and terroir rather than marking it with overt oak influence, before being bottled—here in the rare and prized 3 L Double Magnum format—for long, slow development.

Food & Serving
This is a Barolo that shines alongside richly flavored, protein‑driven dishes that can stand up to its structure. Think braised veal shank (ossobuco), slow‑cooked beef cheeks, roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary, game birds, or wild mushroom risotto with truffle. Aged hard cheeses such as Parmigiano‑Reggiano, mature Pecorino, or well‑cellared alpine cheeses also make excellent partners. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Burgundy or Barolo stems to let the aromatics unfold. In this young 2018 vintage and large format, decanting for 2–3 hours is recommended to soften the tannins and bring forward the wine’s floral and spice notes; for more evolved bottles down the line, a shorter decant of about an hour will be sufficient.

Producer
Giacomo Conterno is one of Piedmont’s most revered traditional Barolo estates, a benchmark name that has helped define what great Nebbiolo can be for over a century. Founded in the early 1900s and brought to international prominence by Giovanni and later Roberto Conterno, the estate is best known for the legendary Monfortino Barolo, often cited as one of Italy’s greatest wines. From their holdings in top Serralunga vineyards such as Francia and Arione, Conterno crafts long‑lived, uncompromisingly classic Barolo that captures the power, depth and minerality of this corner of the Langhe. The acquisition and meticulous development of the Arione cru further cemented the winery’s influence in the region, adding another distinctive, terroir‑driven expression to a portfolio that is sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.