Giuseppe Mascarello Dolcetto d’Alba Vigna Bricco Mirasole 2017

Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio, the traditional Piedmont family better known for Barolo, makes this Dolcetto d'Alba from the single Vigna Bricco Mirasole vineyard. Dolcetto is Piedmont's everyday red grape, prized for deep colour, low acidity and soft tannin that make it juicy and approachable young. It ripens earlier than Nebbiolo, freeing the best sites for the later grape, and is generally vinified for freshness. Here it is fermented in the estate's cement and stainless steel tanks with no oak ageing, so the fruit stays bright and the wine keeps its natural roundness. The calcareous soils of the Alba hills give the grape its ripeness and dark fruit while the vineyard's elevation preserves a little freshness. The wine is deep purple, with dark bigarreau cherry, plum and blueberry on the nose over mint and a peppery, pine-like note. The palate is well-structured for Dolcetto, juicy and ripe, with soft tannin, gentle grip and a clean, faintly bitter almond finish typical of the variety. This is a wine for drinking now rather than cellaring. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees, in a standard red glass. It works with pork, roast chicken and tomato-based pasta.