Conterno/Giacomo Barolo Arione 2018

96-98 points Susan Hulme, MW (The Wine Independent): "The 2018 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Arione is a deeper color than their Cerretta, with a little garnet tone at the rim. On the nose and palate there are lovely clear aromas, with plenty of bright red fruits, strawberries, spice, and pepper. The beautiful Arione vineyard that Roberto Conterno bought in 2015 in Serralunga ripens earlier than Francia and is south-south-west facing, which perhaps explains the impression of extra ripeness to the fruit. It has lots of very silty-textured tannins, like fine grains of sand, giving much more grip and firmness. The finish is long, lingering and savory. It is quite closed at present and not revealing its full identity but the potential for this wine looks very exciting. Drink: 2024-2055. (July 2022)"

97 points Falstaff: "Clear ruby with slightly light garnet rim. Intense and appealing nose, showing notes of ginger, sour cherry, pomegranate and dried porcini mushrooms. Hearty, grippy tannins on the palate, complex, cold tea notes, textured and concentrated finish. (10/7/22)"

96 points Aldo Fiordelli (Decanter): "With young soils and steep hills, the importance of Arione is easily understood. The southern exposure helped the quality in this vintage and the wine shows a restrained red currant fruit aroma with graceful cinnamon, sweet violet and watermelon, allied to an anise, almost herbal, whiff. Full, refreshing and very elegant yet not without a firm structure, it features an extracted chalky finish. It will age quite well for a 2018. Drinking Window: 2023-2040 (Jan 2022)"

94-96 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "Tasted from barrel, the 2018 Barolo Arione still has another year in botte and time in bottle before its commercial release. However, the wine shows a distinct personality that is immediately gentle and open-knit despite its very young age. With fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, there is ethereal softness here, but this characterization is relative considering the ample power and depth always associated with this site. It feels like this 2018 vintage is still warming up and is slowly putting on volume and weight. Its metamorphosis is far from complete. However, what you can read into the wine now is the quality of its fruit and its classic Nebbiolo aromas of wild berry, pressed violet, rust and blood orange. Drink: 2027-2055. (Nov 2021)"

95 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Barolo Arione is an imposing wine. It's presence alone is impossible to miss. Arione is a wine that demands attention. There is something wild and exotic - almost animalistic - about the Arione and the way it asserts itself. Time in the glass brings out scents of sage, menthol, white pepper and orange peel. A generous kick of Serralunga acidity and tannin punctuates the finish. It's still early days for Roberto Conterno's Barolo from Arione. I can't wait to see how this ages. Drink:2024-2043. (Oct 2022)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "Perfumed and suave, this red boasts cherry, strawberry, sandalwood, floral and mint aromas and flavors. This one is all about finesse and harmony, with its precision and balance providing a sense of seamlessness -- even at this youthful stage. The fruit, spice and savory elements linger on the aftertaste. Best from 2025 through 2043. 833 cases made. (2023)"