2011 Bruno Giacosa, Dolcetto d’ Alba DOC, Piedmonte, Italy.
Famed for their amazing Barolo, Giacosa is one of Italy’s great producers and this lovely Dolcetto d’ Alba is a gem, and a serious wine with fine structure and class. After tasting through quite a few Dolcetto’s recenty, a few have stood out, and without question this 2011 Bruno Giacosa tops my list, with a gap to Varja, Sandrone and Castello di Neive then a huge fall off to the rest, which I won’t name here, and while the others above are tasty wines, the Giacosa is sublime. I have a secret love for Dolcetto, and Barbera, as the very first case of wine I ever bought in full was a case of Dolcetto d’ Alba and I’ve adored them ever since, Dolcetto is a great wine for picnics and family meals, it goes with many things and has such fun and charm it is hard not to love it. The 2011 Giacosa goes beyond expectations, this is a beauty, with glorious life, vivid fruit, juicy character and firm tannins, this is stunning Dolcetto. The nose is fresh, the palate tangy, but dense and the finish long, though crisp, everything in it’s place with loads of acidity and vibrancy. There is blackberry, currants, dark cherry, cranberry and a plummy body with hints of mint, fennel, reduced candied orange rind and a touch of earth, spice and brine. Drink now through 2016.
($25 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive
