GIOVANNI ALMONDO
PIEDMONT / ROERO
The Almondo Family is a proud and distinguished lineage, their name etched in the annals of the Montà municipality dating back to the 14th century. Throughout the centuries, the region has been renowned for its cultivation of grapevines, as well as its exceptional production of asparagus, strawberries, and peaches. The grape variety Arneis, grown in the rich soils of Montà, is particularly renowned for its captivating aromas and robust flavors.
Domenico Almondo, a graduate of Agricultural Sciences in 1980, brought a renewed ambition to the family vineyard, determined to craft an Arneis of unparalleled elegance and distinct character, a contemporary white wine of distinction. He harnessed the power of modern technology, implementing temperature control, utilizing inert gasses, and meticulously managing the reduction process and lees. These efforts have resulted in the Almondo Style, a wine of impressive aromas, fragrance and minerality that is truly one of a kind.
The Almondo vineyards are situated on 18 of the most prime hectares in the Montà region, renowned for its ideal terroir for cultivating both flavorful mineral white wines and elegant structured red wines. The municipality's geological composition is divided into two distinct halves, a northern sandy terrain with rocky acidic soil, and a southern calcareous soil rich in plant nutrients. The historic Arneis vines, ranging from 45 to 60 years old, can be found in the northern Fini superiori, while the southern Fini inferiori is home to the Nebbiolo vines planted in the early 90s, representing two distinct terroirs. The Arneis thrives on sandy acidic soil at 390 meters above sea level, creating a unique vibrant, fresh, and bright style, while the Nebbiolo's best attributes are brought out by the calcium-rich Sabbie d'Asti terrain at lower altitude. The duality of Montà's geology creates wines that are truly one of a kind.
As the prices of Barolo vintages ascend in a steady trajectory, the premier wines from the contiguous region of Roero appear ever more alluring. It is not intended to imply that Roero varietals should be perceived as a parsimonious alternative to Barolo, for they are equally as evocative and able to endure the test of time. Rather, the wines of Roero are currently at their zenith and present a formidable value proposition, as exemplified by the terrific offering from the illustrious Almondo Giovanni.
Owner
Region
Sub-region
Farming
Harvest
Size
Grapes Grown
Website
Vineland Rep.
Domenico Almondo
Piedmont
Roero
Organic
Manual
15 hectares
Arneis, Nebbiolo, Barbera
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Giovanni Almondo Roero Arneis ‘Vigne Sparse’
Appellation: Roero Arneis DOCG
Varietal: 100% Arneis
Soil: 3 types:
- sandy: 80% sand, 15% limestone, 5% clay
- clay and calcareous: 35% sand, 25% limestone, 40% clay
- acidic clay (ph 5,5): 40% sand, 30% limestone, 30% clay
Altitude: 310 – 370 m m.s.l.
Sun exposure: east – south – west
Aging: stainless steel vats
Notes: Oyster. Almondo skin. Stone fruit. The Almondos keep their wines on the fine lees for as long as possible. Bricco degli Ciliegie is one hillside, a former cherry orchard with a higher-than-usual limestone content in the soil. Intensely mineral, this wine deserves to be in the conversation regarding the truly great white wines of
northern Italy. — JM
92
2018
GALLONI
Giovanni Almondo Bricco delle Ciliegie
The vineyard is the result of a patchwork of small plots of vines; it stretches on the eastern side on the hill called Vittori. Until seventy years ago this side of the hill was entirely dedicated to the cultivation of cherries. Some of the original plants are still present in the vineyard, with other more recently planted, and have become the symbol of this hill. The exceptionally sandy soil (80% sand) interspersed with calcareous strips, the average altitude of 360 meters above sea level and the constant presence of wind make it the ideal place for the production of high quality Arneis.
Appellation: Roero Arneis DOCG
Varietal: 100% Arneis
Soil: sandy with clay veins, calcareous (60% sand, 15% limestone, 25% clay)
Altitude: 340 – 370 m m.s.l.
Sun exposure: east – south
Aging: in stainless steel vat for 10 months, 5% non-toasted barrique (French oak)
Notes: 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.
92
2020
GALLONI
Giovanni Almondo Le Rive del Bricco delle Ciliegie
The vineyard is the result of a patchwork of small plots of vines; it stretches on the eastern side on the hill called Vittori. Until seventy years ago this side of the hill was entirely dedicated to the cultivation of cherries. Some of the original plants are still present in the vineyard, with other more recently planted, and have become the symbol of this hill. The exceptionally sandy soil (80% sand) interspersed with calcareous strips, the average altitude of 360 meters above sea level and the constant presence of wind make it the ideal place for the production of high quality Arneis.
Appellation: Roero Arneis DOCG
Variety: 100 % Arneis
Soil: sandy with clay veins, calcareous (60% sand, 15% limestone, 25% clay)
Altitude: 350 m m.s.l.
Sun exposure: east
Maceration: 12 hour cold maceration
Aging: 90% in stainless steel vat for 10 months, 10% non toasted barrique (french oak)
Notes: Roero Arneis Le Rive del Bricco delle Ciliegie, Almondo’s top selection, is quite inward in feel. There is terrific energy, minerality and depth. Dried pear, crushed flowers, chamomile and mineral accents all open nicely. I prefer the fresher style of the straight Bricco delle Ciliegie, but the Rive is quite good, and will be terrific at the dinner table with richer dishes. – Antonio Galloni.
90
2019
GALLONI
Giovanni Almondo Valbianchèra Barbera d’Alba
An outstanding balance vineyard: plants over 60 years old, soil rich in clay and limestone at the top of the hill. The vines of Barbera are grown in a clayey soil interspersed occasionally by strips of sand. The origin of these clear colored clays are probably alluvial as to origin, dating back to a period between 2.5 and 3 million years ago.
This type of soil holds sufficient water supply even in the hottest summers , but it also ensures a slow and steady contribute of nutrients for the plant, that never exceeds in strength.
The considerable age of the plants provides each year an excellent balance of vegetation; consequently, a limited production and high quality.
Appellation: Barbera d’Alba DOC
Variety: Barbera (60 to 80-year-old vines)
Soil: clay and calcar (20% limestone, 40% clay, 40% sand)
Altitude: 350 m m.s.l.
Sun exposure: south-east
Maceration: Maceration: 8-10 days on the skins
Aging: 18 months in big cask (non-toasted Slavonian oak)
Notes: Valbianchera marries the textural richness of Barbera with clean mineral underpinning, that add tension as well as energy. Bright and punchy, with terrific depth, the 2019 is super- expressive. It will appeal most to readers who appreciate subtlety over opulence in Barbera. – Antonio Galloni.
91
2017
GALLONI
Giovanni Almondo Langhe Nebbiolo
From a vineyard located at an altitude of 340 meters. The soil is primarily composed of sand, clay, and limestone. The wine undergoes a short maceration of 5 to 7 days, then matures for 8 months in neutral barrels (8 years old). The color is an intense and light cherry red. It is an elegant, easy-to-drink, and juicy Nebbiolo.
Appellation: Langhe Nebbiolo DOC
Varietal: Nebbiolo (Lampia)
Soil: sandy, clay, calcareous (60% sand, 20% limestone, 20% clay)
Altitude: 340 m m.s.l.
Sun exposure: south
Maceration: 5-7 days on the skins
Aging: 8 months in neutral barriques
Notes: The nose brings a rustic and sunny aroma wrapped in tender raspberries, earthy and raw tones and a delicious presence of almonds, almost marzipan. On the palate it appears velvety and soft with firm tannins and a typical acidity. Focus on fruit and finesse and do it well with good complexity.
Giovanni Almondo Roero
Appellation: Roero DOCG
Varietal: Nebbiolo (Lampia, Michet, Picotendro)
Soil: sandy, calcareous (70% sand, 20% limestone, 10% clay)
Altitude: 320 m m.s.l.
Sun exposure: south
Maceration: 15-18 days on the skins
Aging: 18 months in big cask (non toasted slavonian oak)
Notes: Spicy forest berries. For the time being, some of this bottling comes from a steep, 70-year-old vineyard. Eventually the Almondos will use that fruit for some riserva or single-parcel offering. As it stands, this Nebbiolo over-delivers to a shocking degree. It’s a strong personal favorite. — JM
91
2019
GALLONI
Giovanni Almondo Roero Bric Valdiana
It’s the vineyard that most needs care and attention, but it can offer excellent Nebbiolo grapes for elegant, mineral and long-living Roeros.
In Bric Valdiana vineyard two types of soil, typical of Roero, can be identified: at the top of the hill there is a layer of soil that can be traced back to the sands of Asti, yellow-greyish; it is largely composed of sand and silt, with calcium concentration in the order of 5-7%. This complex was formed about 4.5 million years ago by a shallow sea bottom (200 m) and densely populated by mollusks (710 species have been classified).
In the middle band of the hill, sand of Asti mix with older geological formations: the clays of Lugagnano, which have been originated 5,5 million years ago by a medium deep seafloor (500m), therefore less oxygenated. The soil is mostly composed by clay and silt, it has a bluish-gray color, and it’s moderately calcareous (10-15%).
This type of soil ensures sufficient water supply in summer and a balanced availability of nutrients, very important for a production of quality grapes.
Appellation: Roero DOCG
Varietal: Nebbiolo (Michet, Lampia)
Soil: sandy, calcareous (65% sand, 20% limestone, 15% clay)
Altitude: 320 m m.s.l.
Sun exposure: south
Maceration: 18-22 days on the skins
Aging: 18 months in big cask (non-toasted Slavonian oak)
Notes: Weet dried cherry, cinnamon, orange peel, mint and leather give the 2018 Roero Bric Valdiana beguiling aromatic nuance and complexity. Medium in body and translucent, with tons of character, the Bric Valdiana is super- expressive today. – Antonio Galloni.
94
2016
GALLONI
92
2018
GALLONI