Can Dolcetto Age Like Nebbiolo?

Dogliani is located just south of Barolo and has the same chalky, clay soil as Barolo’s revered Monforte and Serralunga crus. At some point it was declared not suited for Nebbiolo and Dogliani took on a lower status — but many Dogliani denizens feel this was a mostly arbitrary designation. For those who know, there are incredible values and age-worthy wines to found in Dogliani for fractions of the prices of Barolo. It also proves that Dolcetto is a serious grape in its own right, as producers in Dogliani can focus solely on Dolcetto without being distracted by Nebbiolo. 
 
Chionetti is one of the older winemaking families in the area, arriving in 1912. They began labeling and bottling their wines in the 1950s and have been certified organic since 2015.
 
The ‘Briccolero’ bottling comes from southeast facing vines on the top of the hill (pictured above), and has been vinified separately since the 1950s, which was very ahead of its time. The wine is aged mostly in steel tank with some older barrel. The 2013 vintage is in a particularly amazing spot to drink right now. It is superbly complex and bewitching. 
 
We're offering 15% off this wine with the code CHIONETTI at checkout. It's a rare opportunity to taste an older vintage of exceptional wine for under $40. Hopefully you'll come away with a new appreciation for Dolcetto.
 
Cheers,
Jonathan


 

Image of Chionetti Dolcetto Dogliani Briccolero 2013
Chionetti Dolcetto Dogliani Briccolero 2013
$45.00
Deep, heady aromas that are remarkably alive and energetic. Touches of smoke, iron, sagebrush, and black tea. Pine, forest floor, black truffle, leather, sandalwood, and old library vibes. True to the Chionetti style, this is an exercise in restraint and filigreed detail. There are plenty of chewy tannins but they provide a fine, precise, chalky backbone to the wine, and the wine reveals more and more as it’s open: ethereal, lifted layers emerge, all with a sensation of haunting beauty instead of power.
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