2021 Arnot-Roberts Vare Vineyard Ribolla Gialla, Napa Valley

The Ribolla Gialla Vare Vineyard is especially fine in 2021. Bold, punchy and savory, the Ribolla offers gorgeous complexity in its layered orchard fruit, herbs, almond and floral notes. I can't say the Vare Ribolla is super expressive of variety, but it does have a ton of character. Bright mineral and savory accents punctuate the finish.

93 points vinous.com

From Gravner cuttings. Organically farmed on gravelly clay loam. 125 cases made. Near colourless. Smells of yellow herbs, bee pollen and citrus pith. Saline flavours of herbs, sarsaparilla, citrus pith and wet chalkboard have a faint green herbal tang in the finish. Juicy and delicious with excellent acidity. Nicely balanced between savoury elements and fruit.

17.5 Jancis Robinson MW

Ribolla Gialla is alive and well in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley thanks to George Vare. George fell in love with Ribolla Gialla in the early ‘90s while traveling in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Northeastern Italy, and committed to bringing this variety home to California. Cuttings were taken from Josko Gravner’s heralded vineyard in Friuli and suitcased into the United States, signaling the first arrival of this ancient variety in California. The soils here are deep, alluvial, gravelly clay-loam and the vines are densely-planted, encouraging competition between the vines. The site benefits from early afternoon shading, while daytime temperatures are moderated by proximity to the adjacent redwood-forested slopes of Mt. Veeder. Farmed to perfection by Steve Matthiasson, this vineyard produces exceptional, age-worthy and singular Ribolla Gialla.