Professional Ratings

• 97 Jeb Dunnuck
  Tasted from bottle, the 2021 Barolo Francia is a jeweled ruby color, while the nose is very pure, inviting, and perhaps a touch shy, offering notes of pure red berries, cherry liqueur, sweet herbs, and rocky earth. The structure is quite energetic and eclectic in energy, and the palate is just stunning now, with lovely sweetness, although it’s fully dry.
• 97 James Suckling
  Elegant style to this Barolo, fresh and lightly fruited with subtle spices. Wild strawberries, watermelon and hints of Parma violets, oak bark and licorice. Full-bodied with intense flavor and fine-tuned tannins, soaked in licorice again and dried flowers. Long, savory and refreshing aftertaste. Almost drinkable now, but best from October 2025.
• 97 Vinous
  The 2021 Barolo Arione is a wine of exquisite finesse and elegance. The bouquet alone is immediately arresting. Then again, that is such an Arione signature. Sage, rose petal, mint, orange peel and dried flowers begin to emerge over time. Nearly seamless tannins and exceptional balance add to its total allure, while strong floral and savory accents punctuate the finish.
  Rating: 97+
• 94 Robert Parker's 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.