Corino Barolo 2001

Brothers Renato and Giuliano Corino have decided to divide their vineyards and work separately and these 2001s are the last set of Barolos to be marketed before the split. The winemaking style here is modern, with fermentations lasting under a week and aging taking place in barriques of which 40% are new for the single vineyard wines. The 2001 Barolo Vigna Giachini, a saturated ruby, is somewhat balsamic on the nose, with notes of spices, stewed prunes and tobacco. Endowed with generous amounts of dark sweet fruit, menthol, cocoa and toasted oak flavors, it is round and soft in texture, but with serious structure underneath. It is just a shade less complete than the Rocche in 2001. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019.

The Rocche vineyard is one of the most famous in Barolo, and accordingly the estate’s 2001 Barolo Vigneto Rocche is the most important as well as complete of the wines. Medium ruby in color, it shows a pretty nose of spices, menthol, minerals and toasted oak. Elegant and refined on the palate, the Rocche offers flavors of pure, sweet fruit and cherries in liqueur, with superb length and balance. It is a beautiful, delicate and finely nuanced Barolo that will drink well early but also age gracefully. Anticipated maturity: 2009–2019.

Good red-ruby. Sweet raspberry, mocha, tobacco and minerals on the very ripe nose. Fatter, richer and more pliant than the Arborina, but with no loss of inner-mouth perfume. Rich, sweet, broad and open-knit, and somehow light on its feet. Finishes with big, lush, toothcoating tannins.

The 2000 Barolo Giachini, from the firm's home vineyard, is the best of the single-vineyard bottlings, sweeter and fuller in aroma, larger-framed and more supple in flavor, sizable but elegant on its lengthy finish.

The 2000 Barolo Giachini is close to or fully mature. Tobacco, earthiness, cedar, truffles and autumn leaves suggest the wine is best enjoyed sooner rather than later. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014.

Brothers Renato and Giuliano Corino have decided to divide their vineyards and work separately and these 2001s are the last set of Barolos to be marketed before the split. The winemaking style here is modern, with fermentations lasting under a week and aging taking place in barriques of which 40% are new for the single vineyard wines… 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. Anticipated maturity: 2009–2019.

Very warm, almost exotic wine with leather, plum and light prune character. Full-bodied, with soft and caressing tannins and a long, ripe fruit and vanilla aftertaste. Should come together nicely. Needs some time. Best after 2007.