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Giovanni Almondo Roero Riserva DOCG

Tasting History

2009 – 92 pts

The 2009 Roero Riserva Giovanni Almondo bursts onto the palate with a heady mélange of black cherries, French oak, licorice, smoke and incense, all of which come to life in a sumptuous style that is immensely appealing. This is very much a big, powerful style of Roero, but it works beautifully. At the same time, I can only wonder how much more expressive the 2009 could have been with a little less overt oak influence.

Antonio Galloni in  “Piemonte: 2009 and 2010 Barbaresco Plus Other New Releases”, October 2012.

2008 – 92 pts

The 2008 Roero Riserva Giovanni Almondo is drop dead-gorgeous. I am not sure where to start or end with this striking, breathtaking red. A gorgeous, well-articulated bouquet melds into expressive dark fruit as the wine opens up in the glass. Smoke, tar, licorice and a host of other brooding aromas and flavors build towards the dramatic, large-scaled finish. This is quite simply one of the finest – if not the finest – wine I have ever tasted from Roero. It is clearly the qualitative equivalent of many a Barolo or Barbaresco. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2023. Once again, Almondo has turned out a fabulous set of wines. Readers who want to explore Roero should start here.

Antonio Galloni.

2007 – 94 pts

The 2008 Roero Riserva Giovanni Almondo is drop dead-gorgeous. I am not sure where to start or end with this striking, breathtaking red. A gorgeous, well-articulated bouquet melds into expressive dark fruit as the wine opens up in the glass. Smoke, tar, licorice and a host of other brooding aromas and flavors build towards the dramatic, large-scaled finish. This is quite simply one of the finest – if not the finest – wine I have ever tasted from Roero. It is clearly the qualitative equivalent of many a Barolo or Barbaresco.

Antonio Galloni in  “New Releases from Piedmont: The Stars Are Aligned”, October 2011.

2006 – 93 pts

The 2006 Roero Riserva Giovanni Almondo is the biggest and richest of these Roeros. It also shows the most influence of French oak and comes very close to being out of balance. There is just enough intensity in the dark fruit and sweet mentholated nuances to provide a counter, but at the end of the day, the fruit is so striking in its beauty I can only wonder what level this Riserva might reach with a more subtle approach to oak aging. Still, there is no denying the Riserva’s considerable beauty. Hints of smoke and minerals add further nuance on the wonderfully polished, refined finish.

Antonio Galloni in  “New Releases from Piedmont”, December 2010.