Elio Altare Dolcetto d’Alba 2024

Elio Altare makes this young Dolcetto in the Langhe, at DOC Dolcetto d'Alba in Piedmont. Altare brought techniques learned in Burgundy back to Barolo, working sustainably and with a light touch in the cellar. Dolcetto ripens earlier than Nebbiolo and gives deep colour, soft acidity and gentle tannin, which makes it a fruit-forward red for early drinking. The Langhe hills give calcareous, marly soils and a wide day-to-night temperature range that keeps the fresh fruit lively. This bottling is unoaked, fermented and raised to keep the grape's bright character clear. The colour is deep violet-red. The nose shows fresh black cherry, plum and blackberry with a floral lift and a note of almond. The palate is medium bodied and round, the juicy dark fruit framed by soft tannin and moderate acidity, finishing on a faint bitter almond twist typical of the grape. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees, and it takes a slight chill well. It pairs with charcuterie, pizza and tomato-based pasta, and suits roast poultry and mushroom dishes.