Renato Corino | Barolo
After 20 years together, Renato Corino and his brother Giuliano decided to split their family's renowned Barolo estate in 2005, allowing each to forge their own path under different labels. Renato's 8-hectare vineyards stand in the prized La Morra crus of Rocche dell’Annunziata, Arborina, Pozzo, Conca and Roncaglie, mostly Nebbiolo along with Barbera and Dolcetto. Renato built a brand new, state-of-the-art winery to steer production in the same perfectionist fashion that he runs his vineyards. Renato’s son Stefano is also now working alongside his father, helping to craft these unique wines.
Tasting through the wines with Stefano Corino during our visit in March 2019
The stunning peaks of Barolo
Renato Corino and his family's famed Barolo Estate, hails from the the commune of La Morra where some of the highest peaks in the region produce very fine, elegant and perfumed Barolo's. Renato is driven by passion and enthusiasm, along with his son Stefano, an upcoming star in Barolo.
The vineyards stand in the prized La Morra crus of Rocche dell’Annunziata, Arborina and Pozzo. Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata is a wine whose magical elegance and finesse are unrivalled in the whole appellation and brand the cru as the “Musigny” of Barolo. Arborina will no doubt remain the classic it has always been. Renato Corino also makes a Barolo Riserva, mainly from the older vines of the Rocche vineyard, a Barolo del Comune di La Morra, a Dolcetto and a Nebbiolo d’Alba. The single vineyard Barbera Vigna Pozzo joins the half dozen world class wines produced by this varietal.
Renato Corino is neighbours with cult Barolo figure Elio Altare and is cousins with the iconic Luciano Sandrone, both of whom are his mentors.
The terroir in La Morra in general contains limestone, blue-grey marl, clay and basalt soils. Rocche dell’Annunziata contain white limestone and sand. Renato's sites are organic and he is a perfectionist in the vineyards: no chemical products are sprayed, only copper and sulphur is used. Grass is left on the aisles between the rows of vines and then it is tilled into the soil in the winter, which means that no herbicides nor fertilisers are used either.
2017 Nebbiolo d'Alba DOC (arriving Spring 2019)
A charming Nebbiolo and very enjoyable in the first few years after release. A tender bouquet of flowers, wild mint, fresh strawberries, and a hint of smoke gives way to a palate of fresh tannins and youthful fruit.
Composition: Nebbiolo 100%
Origin: Vineyard in Roero area
Vineyard terrain: Surface total 1,3 Ha
Exposition: Southwest
Altitude: 350 m (1,150 ft)
Soil typology: Sand
Training method: Guyot
Average vine age: 40 years
Yield: 5 – 6 tons/hectare
Fermentation: In temperature controlled stainless steel vats for no more than
seven days. Malolactic completes in barrel.
Aging: In French oak barrels for 12 months second passage (used
prior only for aging Barolo). No fining or filtration is used.
Production: 8,000 bottles per year approx. 5 – 6 tons/hectare
2016 Barolo del Comune di La Morra DOCG (arriving Spring 2019)
This Barolo integrates Nebbiolo grapes from different vineyards sites in La Morra and one from Serralunga d’Alba. On the nose scents of cinnamon and smoke align with strawberry and cherry, followed by hints of mint, oregano, forest, and orange zest. In the mouth, the texture is velvety and red fruits come forward.
Fresh tannins keep the wine bright and intriguing all the way through the finish.
Composition: Nebbiolo 100%
Origin: La Morra - Vineyard Arborina
Vineyard Terrain: Surface total 2,3 Ha
Exposition: Southwest.
Altitude: 350 mt. (1,150 ft)
Soil typology: limestone & clay
Training method: Guyot
Average age: 35 years old
Yield: 5 tons /Hectare
Fermentation: In temperature controlled stainless steel vats for approximately seven days. Malolactic completes in barrel.
Aging: In oak barrels of diverse ages for 24 months and in bottle. No fining or filtration is used.
Production: 12,000 bottles per year approx.
