Wine Advisor
Giovanni Corino, Barolo Arborina 1997
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
From a tiny yet renowned hillside vineyard, the 1997 Barolo Arborina displays an evolved garnet color with considerable amber at the edge. Spice box, licorice, cedar wood, cherries, currants, rose petals, and framboise aromas jump from the glass of this textured, full-bodied, fat, lush wine. This is a sexy, hedonistic, full-bodied, seamless, herb-tinged Barolo for drinking over the next decade. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The tannic, muscular, lean 1997 Barolo Arborina exhibits admirable concentration, full body, low acidity, and a boat load of tannin (surprising, given how many 1997s obscure the tannin with their glycerin and rich fruit). In any event, it will be at least excellent, possibly outstanding, but it will require bottle age. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2015. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Good deep red. Nose currently dominated by smoky, roasted wood scents; comes across as a bit diffuse. Fat and full, but lacks clarity and precision. The tannins seem a bit aggressive today. I don't get a lot of verve. A disappointing bottle, or perhaps simply in an awkward stage.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Good full red. Somewhat sauvage aromas of raspberry and smoked meat. Thick and very sweet in the mouth, with superb depth of flavor and texture. Very long, ripely tannic aftertaste.
About the Producer
Corino Giovanni di Corino Giuliano is an Italian wine producer located in the north-west of Piedmont in the Langhe. The estate specialises in the three classic Landhe red grape varieties, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto, and was founded by the Corino family in 1952 when they moved to La Morra. Over the next few decades, the vineyard expanded to 15 hectares (37 acres). Initially, most of the grapes were produced for sale. In the mid-1980s, when Giuliano, Giovanni's son and today's business owner, was still young, he joined the company and the first hundred litres of Barolo were bottled. In 1987 an innovative path of winemaking began, maintaining the characteristic stamp of the region, with thinning in the vineyards for better quality, short fermentations at controlled temperatures and ageing in small French oak barrels. In the mid-1980s, the estate produced its first Barolo wines. In 2005, the brothers Giuliano and Renato Corino parted ways and divided the family business between themselves, with Giuliano managing the 8 hectares (20 acres) estate. The winery respects nature and uses no chemical pesticides and only natural fertilisers. Corino Giovanni di Corino Giuliano devotes approximately 5 hectares (12 acres) of the vineyard to the Nebbiolo grape variety, with the remaining 3 hectares (7 acres) planted equally with Barbera and Dolcetto. These vineyard plots are planted on clay-calcareous and clay soils. The estate produces around 50,000 bottles of wine per year, the majority of which are Barolo wines. Corino's portfolio includes three single vineyard 'cru' Barolo wines, as well as a selection of Barbera d'Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba, Langhe Nebbiolo and Langhe Rosso wines. As a rule, Corino ages its Barolo wines for approximately two years in old and new French oak barrels, followed by six months in steel barrels. These wines are aged in bottle for two years before release.
