Reviews
James Suckling 94
Fascinating aromas of pure fruit, such as strawberries and plums, with some ash and smoke. Full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins that are polished and fine. Nice, long and soft at the end.
by JS, James Suckling , 2021
Robert Parker 91
With fruit from the village of Novello, the Arnaldo Rivera 2017 Barolo Ravera shows some of the extra plumpness and ripeness of the vintage with dark cherry confit and plum pudding. There are dark mineral and licorice tones, and the wine also displays some red cedar or smoked oak. Those darker or more saturated tones appear more evident in this vintage, and the tannins do show some dryness.
by ML, Robert Parker , 2021
Wine Enthusiast 90
Aromas of violet, truffle and tobacco emerge from the glass. The savory palate offers dried black cherry, clove and tobacco alongside tightly knit, polished tannins.
by KO, Wine Enthusiast , 2021
Wine Spectator 92
Notes of bright cherry and plum fruit are matched by oak spice and cigar box flavors in this suave red. Firmly structured, with a long, eucalyptus, spice and iron aftertaste. Fine balance.
by BS, Wine Spectator , 2021
Technical Details
Ageing
32 months in French oak, 50% in used tonneaux of 500 - 700 l and 50% in 25 Hl. casks. It follows about a year of bottle before sale.
Estate
Arnaldo Rivera wines are the result of a partnership between Terre del Barolo winery and a number of its growers with the aim of producing the region’s best grapes and wines. The vineyards of origin are among the most prestigious on the Langhe hills. They are ultimate expression of expertise and craftsmanship, where the purity of the single varietal is at the absolute pinnacle, testifying to the unmistakable identity of Piedmont’s wines. This label is a unique, new journey through the eleven villages and native varietals in the Barolo winegrowing area, from the vineyard management, to the vinification techniques and woods used; it is truly the wines and the land they come from that speak for themselves.
Arnaldo Rivera was born on December 13th, 1919 in Castiglione Falletto, a small village at the heart of the historic Barolo winegrowing area. He was a local primary school teacher, mayor of his village for 36 years, and founder in 1958 of the Terre del Barolo winery. He lived through the hard times of the war in the front line, as well as the days of the liberation. He and his wife Ester Rinaldi were not blessed with children. Arnaldo Rivera passed away on January 10th, 1987. This project was created by the growers and the winery in honor of this great man.
Soil
white, marly, calcareous
Tasting notes
ArnaldoRivera is the flagship range of wines from Terre del Barolo. This Barolo comes from the Ravera Cru, a top site in Novello, sourced from six parcels at a high elevation of around 1300 feet. The nose is intensely smoky, with raspberry and strawberry aromas. The calcareous white soils produce beautiful fruit aromatics, whilst the due-south sun-facing aspect add considerable depth to the fruit and ripeness to the firm tannins. Directness of fruit is also brought forward by a degree less oak than their other Cru wines, with some smaller format wood -- but none of it new. It's sleek and stylish, a lifted wine that's taut and spicy with fine-grained tannins. There's tension and persistence here, with a long and elegant finish. A long and profound Barolo to approach now or cellar a good while, the Ravera is a classic.
Technical data
Variety: 100% Nebbiolo
Vineyard planting year: 1963-1968, 1970, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1999-2002
Refinement 32 months in tonneaux and large French oak barrels.
Average annual production 5,600 bottles
Vinification
fermentation on the skins in stainless steel for 13 days at a controlled temperature of between 20 and 30 C. Malolactic fermentation: Spontaneous in wood.