Winemaker Notes
The 2018 M.A. Monticelli Roero Arneis generously wafts from the glass with aromatics of white peaches, pears, orange blossoms, mandarins, and lemon rind. The palate exhibits nice viscosity while maintaining freshness. Flavors of honeysuckle and marzipan on the palate combined with a long-lasting finish showcase the complexity of this beautiful Northern Italian white wine.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Made from 100% Arneis, the 2018 Arneis is a beautiful white that drinks well above its humble price point. Offering a vivid gold hue, notes of crushed citrus and salty minerality, medium body, and bright, crisp acidity, I’d be thrilled with bottles in the cellar. Drink it over the coming year or two.
Yielding a dry and subtly scented wine, Arneis is the star white grape of Piedmont. Though the grape has been local to Roero since the 1400s, it didn’t experience real popularity until the 1980s when local demand for white wine exploded. Somm Secret—A few key Roero producers are also focusing on exploring the ageability of high quality Arneis. It is only grown outside of Piedmont to a very limited extent.
Even to this day, the Roero folklore lives on about witchcraft lurking behind its dramatic contours and obscure woods—but these stories only add to the region’s allure and charm. Actually today Roero winemakers are some of the most astute and motivated in Piedmont. While the white Arneis has attracted global attention for some time, now Roero Nebbiolo wines (elevated to the same DOCG status as Barolo and Barbaresco) are making a name for themselves. Keep an eye on any labeled with the vineyard, Valmaggiore, as Barolo producers have been investing here for years. If you’re looking for hidden gems, this is your region!