2001 Barolo Arborina

The 2001 Barolo Vigna Arborina is the most harmonious of these 2001s. It presents gorgeous intensity and purity in its dark red fruit. There is more than enough depth to stand up to the oak. Scents of white truffles, mint and spices are some of the many notes that wrap around the muscular, explosive finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021. These Baroli were made around the time brothers Renato and Giuliano Corino divided their family’s estate. Today Renato makes Baroli from Arborina and Rocche at his new winery, while Giuliano’s lineup includes wines from Arborina and Giachini, bottled under the family’s Giovanni Corino label. Both brothers make and old-vines Vecchie Vigne Barolo, but from different vineyards. Renato and Giuliano Corino split the already-bottled production of their 2001 Barolo Arborina and Rocche and sold the wines under their respective labels. Readers will find both labels on the market, but the wines themselves are identical. The two 2001 Corino Vecchie Vigne Baroli were made differently in the cellar. I have listed both Vecchie Vigne Baroli separately. Various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300

The 2001 Barolo Arborina, from a vineyard made famous by the Corinos' neighbor and mentor Elio Altare, is another worthy effort. A deeply colored ruby, it presents an aromatic nose of menthol, spices and minerals. This richly structured Barolo is dense and long, with generous flavors of sweet dark red fruit, toasted oak, chocolate and the harder tannins that are typical of the Arborina vineyard.

Bright red-ruby. Aromatically expressive nose combines cherry, blood orange and mint; atypically open for this bottling. Then vinous and classy on the palate, with sappy red fruit flavors lifted by mint and flowers. Juicy, shapely and very intense. Finishes with firm but sweet tannins and terrific persistence.