9 April 2015

2012 CORTINO DOLCETTO DIANO D’ALBA - THE SWEETEST THING


For many top Barolo and Barbaresco producers, Dolcetto is very much the first rung on the ladder, the variety planted on sites not suited to or good enough for either Nebbiolo or Barbera. The ‘little sweet one’ is often talked of as the wine the ‘locals drink’ or ‘our everyday wine’.

There are some areas in Piedmont where Dolcetto prevails, one of those being Diano d’Alba, which has DOCG status for Dolcetto and Dolcetto alone. Situated to the south of the city of Alba and just north of some of the most famous communes of Barolo (namly Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d’Alba) it is well suited to the production of quality Dolcetto.

This particular example from Azienda Agricola Cortino captures the essence of Dolcetto with its bright cherry/damson fruit and noticeable lick of tannin. ‘Little sweet one’ it may be, but it is very much a wine intended for the dinner table or even, perhaps, medium term ageing.

2012 CORTINO DOLCETTO DIANO D’ALBA
Producer: Azienda Agricola Cortino
Variety: Dolcetto
Vintage: 2012
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Composite cork
Retail Price: $28.00
Date tasted: 27 March 2014

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