Senior editor and tasting director Bruce Sanderson joined Wine Spectator in 1993. His tasting beats are Burgundy, Italy and Germany.

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A White in Anticipation of Piedmont

Bruno Giacosa Arneis Roero 2009

Bruce Sanderson
Posted: November 10, 2010

I’ve been anticipating my trip to Piedmont, so when a friend and I had dinner in New York recently, I ordered Bruno Giacosa’s Arneis Roero from the wine list.

Giacosa is best known for his single-vineyard Barolos and Barbarescos from his 50 acres of estate vineyards. The firm also buys grapes to complete its range of wines. This Arneis falls into the latter category.

The 2009, which retails for around $35, is one of the best examples of the grape I have tasted, showing ripe peach, orange and honeysuckle aromas and flavors. It’s rich and fleshy, with a hint of grapefruit peel bitterness that helps to lift the soft texture on the finish. 88 points, non-blind. It was a great teaser to prepare me for the Langhe.

WineSpectator.com members: Get scores and tasting notes for recently rated Top Values among Italian whites.

Plus, read Bruce Sanderson’s November 2010 blogs on his visits to about 20 producers in Piedmont.