2021 Michele Chiarlo Roero Arneis Le Madri, Piedmont

Michele Chiarlo Roero Arneis Le Madri is a beautifully expressive Piedmont white that shows the variety at its most refined and age worthy. Roero sits just across the Tanaro River from Barolo and Barbaresco, with sandy, fossil rich soils that give Arneis its signature perfume, texture and subtle grip. The Le Madri vineyard is one of Roero’s most respected sites, prized for its old vines and ability to produce Arneis with both generosity and structure.

Michele Chiarlo is one of Piedmont’s most important producers, known for combining deep respect for tradition with a precise, modern sensibility. While the estate is famous for Barolo and Barbaresco, Arneis has always been treated seriously here. Le Madri is fermented and aged with great care, often seeing some time on lees to build texture and complexity while preserving freshness and varietal character.

In the glass, the wine is layered and elegant. Ripe pear, yellow apple and white peach lead the way, joined by hints of acacia blossom, chamomile and citrus peel. There is a gentle nutty tone and a faint mineral note underneath, adding depth without weight. The palate is dry but generous, with a rounded mid palate balanced by fresh acidity and a subtle savoury grip that carries the wine through a long, composed finish.

This is Arneis that shines at the table. It pairs beautifully with antipasti, seafood, risotto, grilled vegetables or delicate white meats. While it is approachable on release, Le Madri also rewards short to medium term cellaring, developing more almond, honeyed and savoury complexity over five to eight years. A benchmark Roero Arneis that shows why this grape deserves serious attention.