Luciano Sandrone Dolcetto D'alba 2022

Luciano Sandrone Dolcetto D'alba 2022

The consistent quality of this wine—its purity, silky texture, fine tannins and balance—can only come with perfectly ripe fruit from top sites. In this case, the sites are also high-altitude, which brings added freshness to the layers of fruit. From estate vineyards in Monforte d’Alba, Sandrone draws from Castelletto and Cascina Pe Mol. The latter sits at the top of the ridge leading from Monforte d’Alba to the hamlet of Perno and is among the highest vineyards of the region. In Novello, there are the Rocche di San Nicola vineyards and the whitish marls of Ravera—where the easterly exposure contributes perfume and aromatic complexity. Joining these sites is fruit from Rivassi and Crosia in the commune of Barolo. There are typically ten different parcels contributing to the blend, with any fruit not making the grade sold off. Each parcel is vinified separately before blending and the wines are aged in tank.

“Plummy juice with dark cherries mixed in, sandy tannin, bitter phenolic grip and hold on the palate a bit sticky on the tooth, al dente liquorice, but the fruit is dark and ripe and with a black pepper finish spice so it’s not all sweet. Very likeable, a delight to drink and a good expression of variety.” 91 points, Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front