2018 Dolcetto d'Alba
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Tasting notes
I published a review for this wine last year tasted from barrel and am offering a repeat review here. The Luciano Sandrone 2018 Dolcetto d'Alba has fleshed out over the past 12 months. It offers a generous disposition with blackberry, plum and dried cherry. This vintage has produced tight and streamlined results overall, but the fruit wraps over the palate in rich, pleasurable layers. The blend of fruit used here comes from Monforte d'Alba (Pe Mol and Castelletto), Novello (Ravera and Rocche di San Nicola) and Barolo (Rivassi).
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Dolcetto from Sandrone is a little gem of a wine that has ample black and blue fruits as well as medium-bodied richness, a lively, fresh mouthfeel, subtle tannins, and complex notes of violets, scorched earth, and Asian spices. It’s not a blockbuster by any means and plays in the more focused, leaner style, but it’s beautifully balanced and incredibly well done. It’s going to drink nicely for 2-4 years.
The 2018 Dolcetto d'Alba is elegant, super-refined and all class. The 2018 shows all the richness that is typical of the Sandrone Dolcetto, but in a more slender style that is actually very appealing. There is plenty of varietal character in the dark fruit, spice and licorice flavors, but the 2018 is more about persistence than size. I loved it.
Dark crimson. Pretty nose of fresh, crushed black fruit with an inky note. Bright, dark-fruit palate with vibrant acidity and almost no tannins to speak of. Nervy acidity and appetising. (WS)
About the producer
Luciano Sandrone is a name synonymous with the highest standards of Barolo winemaking. Founded in 1978, this family-owned estate has become a modern icon, earning international acclaim for its meticulous wines and thoughtful, site-driven approach to Nebbiolo.