The 2001 Barolo Vecchie Vigne is the biggest of Corino’s 2001s. It is also the oakiest, even though there is more than enough fruit to provide balance. Dark red cherries, chocolate, spices and licorice are some of the notes that flow through on the textured finish. This is a decidedly rich style, and there are faint signs of early oxidative notes in the bouquet. Renato Corino was still working with his brother Giulano when the 2001 Vecchie Vigne was made. Consequently, the 2001 was still made from the family’s holdings in Giachini prior to the separation of vineyards that occurred subsequently. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. 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. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411, Robert Houde Wines, Elk Grove Village, IL; tel. (847) 430-3887

The 2001 Barolo Vecchie Vigne has lost a lot of its baby fat over the last few years. It is a deep, long effort with dark cherries, licorice, spices, chocolate, tobacco, herbs and menthol that flow from the glass. It possesses notable persistence, yet doesn’t look to be built for the long haul. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2015. Renato Corino is one of the most passionate producers I know. Always generous with his time and his wines, he embodies all of the qualities of La Morra’s finest artisanal growers. Corino’s new winery is perched atop the Arborina vineyard, just a stone’s throw from his neighbors Mauro Veglio and Elio Altare. These 2003 Barolos are the first Barolos Renato Corino has bottled under his own label. It is impossible to judge a producer from a single vintage, especially when it is as freakish as 2003, but as I note above, it will be interesting to see how the two Corino estates develop over the coming years. For now, these 2003 Barolos lack color, even for Nebbiolo, and don’t appear to be destined for long lives.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

Gorgeous aromas of crushed wild berries, spices and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied, with big velvety tannins. Goes on and on. A blockbuster. Best after 2009. 120 cases made, 80 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barolo Select to Add