Giacomo Conterno Nebbiolo d'Alba Vigna Arione 2021
(Piedmont, Italy) - [WA 94] [VM 94]

About the Winery:
The Conterno crown jewel, Monfortino, is not only arguably the greatest Barolo; it was also the very first Barolo made in what has come to be known as the classic style.

At the time that Giovanni Conterno’s father Giacomo served in World War I, Barolo was generally sold in either cask or demijohn, meant for early drinking. But when Giacomo returned from the war, he decided to create a Barolo with immense aging potential. His first wine was a 1920 Barolo Riserva, and he soon adopted the name Monfortino in honor of his home village Monforte d’Alba.

For the next 54 years, Giacomo—and then his son Giovanni—made Barolo in much the same way. Two Barolos were made, always from purchased grapes, the main distinction being fermentation technique and time in cask.

Giovanni left the world many great vintages of Barolo, including 1964, 1971, 1978, 1985, 1990, 1996, 1999 and 2001. But possibly his greatest legacy was to hand over his important work to his gifted son Roberto. A brilliant winemaker in his own right, Roberto not only shares his father’s gifts but is equally determined to uphold his family’s traditions. He could have followed other young Langhe winemakers into modernism, but he never will. In his words, the wines of Giacomo Conterno will always belong to the generations that came before him.

The Giacomo Conterno "Arione" Nebbiolo d'Alba 2021 is a distinguished wine made from the revered Nebbiolo grape, sourced from the prestigious Arione vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba. While Conterno is best known for their Barolo wines, this Nebbiolo d'Alba showcases the pure expression of the Nebbiolo grape from this top-tier vineyard outside the Barolo DOCG classification. The 2021 vintage offers vibrant aromas of red cherries, rose petals, and spices, with subtle notes of tar and earth, which are hallmarks of Nebbiolo grown in this region. On the palate, the wine is elegant and structured, with bright acidity and fine tannins, making it both approachable in its youth and capable of aging. The mineral character from the Arione vineyard adds depth and complexity to the wine, making it a more refined and sophisticated expression of Nebbiolo. As with all of Giacomo Conterno’s wines, the Arione Nebbiolo d'Alba 2021 is produced with meticulous attention to detail, offering a wine that reflects both the vintage and the vineyard’s unique terroir. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality Nebbiolo from one of Piedmont’s most esteemed producers.

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
"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." - Monica Larner (Jan 2025)

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Nebbiolo d'Alba Vigna Arione is all class. Perfumed and silky on the palate, with medium-bodied structure, the 2021 embodies the virtues of elegance and class. Crushed flowers, white pepper and mint play off a core of vibrant, red-toned fruit. What a beautiful wine this is. As a reminder, the Nebbiolo d'Alba Vigna Arione emerges from a section in Arione that is just outside the Barolo appellation. Vines here were replanted after the 2015 harvest. The Nebbiolo was vinified in wood and then spent 31 months in cask, a classic Barolo élevage." - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2025)