Cascina Delle Rose Dolcetto d’Alba A Elizabeth 2024

Cascina delle Rose is a five-hectare family estate in the Rio Sordo cru of Barbaresco, where vines, hazelnut trees, woodland and rose bushes share the same ground. A Elizabeth is its Dolcetto d'Alba, the everyday red of the Langhe, made to be drunk young. Dolcetto ripens early on the calcareous marl here, building deep colour and low acidity while keeping soft tannins, which is why it is bottled fresh rather than aged. The wine is farmed organically and fermented without oak, so the fruit stays bright and primary and the grape's character comes through unmasked. The colour is deep purple. The nose is fresh and direct, with red cherry, plum and red berries over a faint liquorice and almond note that is typical of the variety. The palate is medium-bodied and round, the tannins low and supple, the fruit juicy and easy, with the gentle almond bitterness on the finish that marks good Dolcetto. This is an unfussy red for the table rather than the cellar. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees, lightly cool. It suits charcuterie, roast pork and tomato-based pasta.