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Bricco delle Ciliegie Roero Arneis DOCG
Tasting History
2020 – 91 pts
The 2020 Roero Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie is layered and creamy, yet retains terrific freshness throughout. Pear, ginger, white flowers and a hint of spice lend notable character to this inviting, compelling Arneis. Bricco delle Ciliegie is one of the great whites of Italy.
Antonio Galloni in “Everyday Piedmont, Parts 1 & 2”, Sep 2021.
2018 – 90 pts
The 2018 Roero Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie is impeccable. Bright floral notes, white orchard fruit, mint, white flowers, jasmine all pulse through this super-expressive Arneis. Medium in body, the 2018 is gracious and nuanced from start to finish. Lemon peel, white flowers and green pear are some of the notes that linger.
Antonio Galloni, Aug 2019.
2017 – 91 pts
Our group kicked off with a surefire crowd pleaser, the 2017 Giovanni Almondo Arneis Roero Bricco delle Ciliegie. Despite the hot vintage, it proved sufficiently bright and focused in its white flower, nectarine and soft citrus aromas and flavors. This lovely wine impressed my French guests (it’s always a good sign when the French start touting the merits of an Italian wine!), but I have had more chiseled, well-delineated vintages of this wine. Let’s face it, 2017 was just too darn hot.
Ian D’Agata, Sep 2019.
2017 – 90 pts
Almondo’s Roero Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie is quite deep and powerful in 2017. Orchard fruit, mint and white flowers are finely knit. As good as the 2017 is, it is also richer in feel and less delineated than is typically the case, which is not especially surprising given the warm, dry conditions that year.
Antonio Galloni, Aug 2018.
2016 – 92 pts
The 2016 Roero Arneis Le Rive del Bricco delle Ciliegie is a rare Arneis that is both deep in texture and also finely cut. Orchard fruit, white flowers, mint and crushed rocks all develop in the glass, but, more than anything else, Bricco delle Ciliegie is a wine of pedigree, class and true distinction. A dollop of neutral French oak adds texture and depth without being especially obvious.
Antonio Galloni, Aug 2018.
2016 – 92 pts
I am not familiar with Arneis compared to other grape varieties, but served blind, I was flummoxed and then seduced by the 2016 Roero Arneis Le Rive del Bricco delle Ciliegie. Pale in color, it is initially a tad anonymous on the nose, then opens to reveals subtle pithy, pine cone scents and just a faint touch of crushed fennel. The palate is more about the texture than obvious flavors, coming across a little oily, almost Alsace-like, with hints of pear and bitter lemon on the finish. Cerebral. Tasted at the inaugural Vinous off-line.
Neal Martin, Mar 2016.
2015 – 92 pts
The 2015 Roero Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie is one of the very few Arneis that can be said to be a wine of true distinction. Pear, green apple and jasmine notes are beautifully delineated, but it is the wine’s texture that places it in the realm of Piedmont’s most intriguing whites.
Antonio Galloni in “Piedmont: Top Values and Everyday Gems”, Feb 2017.
2012 – 91 pts
The 2012 Roero Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie stands out for its superb texture, layers of white and yellow stone fruits and energy. Even with all of its depth, there is no sense of heaviness. One again, the Bricco delle Ciliegie is off the charts delicious.
Antonio Galloni in “Piedmont Beyond Barolo and Barbaresco”, October 2013.
2011 – 90 pts
Almondo’s 2011 Roero Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie covers every inch of the palate with layers of green apples, pears, white flowers and spices. The Bricco delle Ciliegie succeeds in bringing together the vibrant minerality of Arneis with the creamy, voluptuous texture for which it is so well known. One of my old standbys, the Bricco delle Ciliegie is once again outstanding. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2014. Year after year, Almondo is one of the very finest producers in Roero, a part of Piedmont where consistency is hard to come by. This is a fabulous set of wines from top to bottom.
Antonio Galloni.
2010 – 91 pts
Pale, bright yellow. Ripe, vibrant aromas and flavors of lemon and lime zest, apple, crushed stone, licorice, mint and wild herbs. Penetrating and dense for arneis, with strong minerality contributing to the wineÂ’s tactile impression. Finishes chewy and long, with a repeating note of wild herbs. An unusually serious and persistent arneis, with no loss of immediate refreshment value.
Stefan Tanzer in “Wines Born With the Power of Speech”, May 2011.
2010 – 90 pts
The 2010 Roero Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie is also terrific. It shows a bit more textural depth and richness than the Vigne Sparse. Sweet floral notes weave throughout a core of expressive peaches and pears in this creamy, textured white.
The Bricco delle Ciliegie is often one of my favorite wines from Roero. The 2010 is simply gorgeous.
Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014.
Antonio Galloni.
2009 – 90 pts
The estate’s 2009 Roero Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie shows more minerality, clarity and detail than the Vigne Sparse, but it, too, is a touch richer and deeper than is normally the case. Year in year out the Bricco delle Ciliegie is one of the finest Arneis readers will come across.
Antonio Galloni in “New Releases from Piedmont”, December 2010.
2008 – 88 pts
The 2008 Roero Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie shows a touch more depth, density and clarity than the Vigne Sparse, but in 2008 there isn’t quite as much difference in a qualitative sense between the two Arneis bottlings as is typically the case. White peaches, mint, flowers and minerals linger in the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2011. Almondo is an excellent source for wines from Roero loaded with character and personality.
Antonio Galloni.
2007 – 90 pts
Almondo’s Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie is typically one of the better versions of this wine on the market, as it is again in 2007. A taut, focused white, it reveals intriguing notes of white peaches, mint, minerals and spices on a medium-bodied frame. The long, clean finish is gorgeous. This is all class and elegance. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2010. Giovanni Almondo is a reference-point producer for Arneis, Barbera and Roero. I am amazed this producer isn’t better known considering the high quality of the wines here. Readers looking for value-priced wines from Almondo may want to take a look at Issue 178.
Antonio Galloni.
2006 – 91 pts
Almondo’s 2006 Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie offers expressive aromatics that float from the glass followed by wonderfully fresh, focused white peaches and minerals. This Arneis reveals superb length as well as detail, with clean, inviting finish.
Antonio Galloni in “Piedmont Report”, October 2007.
2004 – 90 pts
2004 Almondo Roero Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie’One of my favorite Arneis, Bricco delle Ciliegie displays notes of smoke and minerals, along with perfumed, riper fruit in soft, round style with excellent persistence. 30% of this wine saw malo. 90 points/drink now-2006, tasted 08/05 Arneis has long been one of my favorite wines to drink as an aperitivo or as to accompany light, delicately flavored dishes. Readers who enjoy Arneis will want to check out these excellent wines from the 2004 vintage. The more balanced 2004 growing season gave wines that are more aromatic and fresh than was the case in 2003. These wines represent the many styles of Arneis, with some wines emphasizing fruitiness, others the more mineral, steely character of the Roero soil. While Arneis is typically made in stainless steel, a few of these wines are also made in a richer, lusher style and see some barrique. My only criticism of these wines is of a general nature. Even though Arneis is typically bottled in the spring following the harvest, the wines often don’t show up in the US for another six months. By the time consumers have had a chance to purchase and drink these wines at least another year may pass, and by then the wines are past their peak. I am confident if more consumers had a chance to taste these wines within a year to eighteen months after the harvest Arneis would have many more fans.
Antonio Galloni.
2000 – 90 pts
Rich and textured, with lots of volume and concentration, the 2000 Arneis Bricco delle Ciliegie is a good-sized, dry white with abundant notes of honeysuckle, peach, minerals, and almonds. Fresh, lively, and richly fruity, this well-made 2000 should be drunk over the next year.