Wines

92 Points! The 2021 Dogliani Superiore Siri D'Jermu takes on a bit more pigment and pours a rich purple. It is flush with fresh herbs, black plum, and menthol and is full-bodied but not heavy, with notes of black cherry, turned soil, and cracked pepper. It is more structured as well, with ripe tannins. Drink 2024-2030. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

92 Points! Aromas of cherries and raspberries, dried flowers, chocolate, cedar and dry earth. Medium-bodied with round texture and dusty tannins. Ripe and velvety with a flavorful, slightly salty finish. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

From the importer: The most important wine of the estate, the Dolcetto for the top wine is sourced from parcels found in prime positions, as well as the oldest vines of the estate.  The 7-year wait from harvest to release reflects the importance of the “San Fereolo” to Nicoletta, who carefully tends the wine through its 3 years in large barrel before a 3-4 year hibernation in the bottle cellar.  Our spring 2015 tasting of each vintage from 2001 to 2008 revealed a consistent vein of dense, warm fruit, which spoke of the Langhe source.  Fresh mineral notes, mint, licorice and savory elements permeated each expression, while a lively freshness was alive in every wine, including the 14-year old 2001 vintage.

From the importer: Nicoletta Bocca is known as a maverick for her ultra-long aged Langhe cuvées, among the finest in the entire region. “Valdibà” is her youthful expression of the Dogliani DOCG, made all in steel cuve, which shows in the fresh brightness of the wine. Nicoletta considers this to be classical Dolcetto, striking all of the notes one would expect from the variety, with a confident tannic backbone. From southeast and northwest-facing vines in the Barracone and San Fereolo vineyards in the Valdibà subsection of Dogliani.

93 Points! A lovely mix of red berries, bright orange peel and spicy cedar on the nose, following through to a full, round and silky palate with very fine tannins that are well integrated into the texture. Lots of flavor and good length. Hard not to settle down to a glass or two of this. - JamesSuckling.com

A star is born! From the importer: Daniele’s Dolcetto style is led by sweet, bright, and rich floral aromas of an expansive and sunny field of flowers in bloom after a spring rain. Red fruit charges second, though not blaring fruit like a lower-altitude sandy soil Fleurie or Morgon. Spice is third: think Brouilly/Côte de Brouilly/Marsannay. The fourth, which seems an inevitable part of every Dolcetto, is its earthy, savory components that begin their journey in the caboose but saunter their way to first-class. Their west-facing, eye-watering, hazy Piemontese sunset, high-altitude Dolcetto vineyard buffers the cool Alpine gusts before they charge over Novello and down into the belly of Barolo. We often speak of the predominance of soil elements in the terroir, but this mountain-fresh Zephyrian wind imparts the tension Daniele captures in the latest version of Dolcetto. On day two, it loses nothing. Rather it gains in suppleness and filigree texture, remaining as good, if not better, than its stunning first hours open.

Sourced from 2.2 hectares in different vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba, at altitudes of 370-400m. The oldest vines date back to 1965, while the youngest were planted in 2006.

93 Points! Intense nose with hints of coffee and black chocolate to the raspberry jam and dark cherries. Nicely dry and bitter with dark-chocolate character that extends to the long, polished finish with silky tannins. Drink or hold. - James Suckling

92 Points! When you buy something through our link, we may earn a small commission. Wine Enthusiast doesn't accept money for editorial wine reviews. Read more about our policy. Dark and intense in color, the wine has intense aromas of spiced black plums, blackberry pie and black cherries. Though the fruit is very intense, it is wrapped up by herbal and cocoa notes. The palate is lush and velvety, with fine tannins that give the wine the structure it needs to keep the fruit from being too dominant. This is a big, bold and beautiful wine. - Wine Enthusiast

91 Points! The 2019 Palazzo della Torre is simply stunning, with a perfumed mix of exotic spice, crushed cherries and vanilla bean. This is cool-toned and racy in style with silky textures contrasted by tart wild berry fruit and clove. Residual acids maintain a wonderfully fresh impression as this tapers off with traces of cocoa and rosy inner florals. The 2019 still shows a bit of its oak (about 20% new) when first opened, yet it comes together beautifully in the glass. Palazzo della Torre is a blend of traditional Valpolicella varieties and a 20% addition of Sangiovese, which takes this to the next level. - Eric Guido, Vinous Media

95 Points! Dark and balsamic in the glass, the 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella captivates with masses of plum and cherry sauce offset by clove and cocoa nuances. It's velvety-smooth and elegant on the palate, propelled by racy acidity that also helps to sweeten its tart red and black fruits. The concentration here is potent and staining, as the 2016 finishes with dramatic length, leaving bitter hints of coffee grind and dark chocolate, along with fine-grained tannins that promise a very long life. This is a beast in need of taming. - Eric Guido, Vinous Media

This no-frills Valpolicella is dangerously drinkable. - Eric Guido, Vinous Media

The Ascheri 2021 Langhe Dolcetto Nirane is bright and fruity with lovely freshness and easy-drinking appeal. It opens to dark cherry and wild strawberry with hints of violet and fragrant peach blossom. Dolcetto, especially when portrayed with the immediate freshness and aromatics you get here, is a wine to enjoy immediately. Why not? Even tonight with a wood-fired artisanal pizza. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

92 Points! A blend of 90% Corvina with 10% Oseleta, the Allegrini 2018 La Grola shows medium dark intensity with lots of smoky overlays, including tobacco and campfire ash. At the core of the wine is a healthy dose of ripe blackberry and plum. The wine offers the power and textural fiber to pair with a classic steak in creamy mushroom sauce. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

90 Points! Vibrant nose with spiced cherries, plums, dried herbs, cloves and some bark. It’s medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and juicy cherries. Fruity and caressing mouth-feel, before a medium finish. - JamesSuckling.com

92 Points! A fresh and bright dolcetto with bright cherry and lemon-peel aromas and flavors. Medium body. Crisp finish. Drink now. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! The 2019 Dogliani Superiore Vigne Sori' San Martino is a big, dense wine. Black cherry, smoke, tobacco, game, incense, dried herbs and rose petal build in a Dogliani that exudes power and breadth. Another year or two in bottle will help soften the formidable tannins. Readers will find a wine of tremendous distinction. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media