2011 Dolcetto Alegría Vineyards

Tasting Notes

Inviting aromatics of vine-ripened blackberry and mocha are laced with hints of blueberry, strawberry, eucalyptus, and earthy spice notes. The velvety entry and round mouthfeel reveal a mix of dark berries, plum, and cherry that gently fill the palate. Subtle baking spices join the flavors near the finish, adding brightness and interest as the wine lingers on.

Winemaker's Notes

We planted Dolcetto, along with Freisa and Barbera, in three different parts of our Alegría Vineyards which have different types of soil. Morning fog and cool nights in the Russian River Valley provide an ideal climate these three varieties from the Piedmont area of northwest Italy. Ours is probably the only mixed planting of these grapes in California. 2011 - our 18th vintage of Dolcetto - was cooler than normal, so we aggressively thinned the crop to be sure it ripened evenly. Meticulous hand-sorting, as we harvested, and again at the crusher, assured that we crushed only the highest quality grapes. We co-fermented the three varieties with native yeast and another yeast strain selected to highlight fruit character and mouthfeel. Freisa added strawberry notes while Barbera added structure to the field blend. We aged the wine for 15 months in barrels carefully chosen to elevate varietal fruit flavors and aromas.

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