Cantina del Pino Dolcetto d'Alba 2022 750ml

Product Info

90pts Vinous Media
The 2022 Dolcetto d'Alba marries notable fruit intensity with a classic, mid-weight sense of structure, a combination that is quite appealing. Dark plum, lavender, spice, licorice and new leather fill out the layers nicely. The 2022 is beautifully done. Drinking Window: 2023 - 2030

Franca Miretti continues to do an admirable job in running the estate established by her late husband, Renato Vacca. This is a strong set of wines from Cantina del Pino, but readers tasting this range need to be prepared to give the wines considerable aeration. The Barbarescos spend three weeks on the skins. Some of the tanks may also see submerged cap maceration. Aging is 24 months in 20-25HL casks. These are pretty rich, structured Barbarescos that emerge fully only over time. - By Antonio Galloni on September 2023

Terroir
Cantina del Pino sources its Dolcetto d’Alba from vineyards in the heart of Barbaresco, an area better known for Nebbiolo but remarkably well suited to Dolcetto. The vines grow in calcareous marl mixed with sandy pockets, soils that naturally limit vigor and produce wines with deep color, expressive aromatics, and supple tannins. These parcels sit at moderate elevations with excellent southern and southeastern exposures, maximizing sunlight yet benefiting from cool evening breezes drifting off the Tanaro River.
The 2022 vintage in Piedmont was warm and dry, but timely late-season cooling helped preserve balance. Dolcetto—early ripening by nature—thrived, achieving ripe black-fruited concentration while retaining the grape’s signature almond-tinged freshness and moderate acidity. The result is a wine that expresses both the sunny generosity of the vintage and the restraint of Barbaresco’s privileged slopes.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Cantina del Pino’s approach emphasizes purity and regional identity. The Dolcetto grapes are hand-harvested and sorted meticulously before undergoing a traditional fermentation in stainless steel, ensuring vibrant aromatics and varietal clarity.
Maceration is kept moderate to extract color and gentle tannin without leaning toward bitterness—a crucial balance in Dolcetto. The wine then ages briefly in stainless steel tanks on fine lees, preserving freshness and enhancing mid-palate texture. No oak is used, staying true to Dolcetto’s role as a fruit-driven, everyday Langhe classic. Bottled with minimal intervention, it typically sits around 13–13.5% alcohol, maintaining the approachable, food-friendly profile Dolcetto lovers seek.

Tasting Notes
The 2022 Dolcetto d’Alba pours a vivid deep purple-crimson, signaling its youthful vibrancy. Aromas are immediate and pure: black cherry, plum skin, wild blackberry, and violets, layered with subtle notes of licorice root, warm stone, and a faint herbal snap.
On the palate, the wine is silky and medium-bodied, offering juicy flavors of ripe dark berries, blackcurrant, and crushed blueberries, supported by Dolcetto’s hallmark gentle tannic grip and dry, slightly bitter almond edge. Acidity is moderate but refreshing, lifting the fruit and keeping the wine agile rather than heavy. The finish is clean, savory, and lightly earthy, echoing notes of graphite, cherry pit, and dark cocoa powder. It’s a beautifully balanced expression—friendly, expressive, and honest, with more depth and finesse than many Dolcettos.

Food Pairing & Service
Serve at 58–62 °F (14–17 °C); no decanting is required, though 10–15 minutes of air will enhance aromatics. Dolcetto shines at the table, and this bottling is no exception. Ideal with pasta al ragù, pizza with mushrooms and speck, roasted chicken thighs, or charcuterie with pecorino and olives.
Its gentle tannins and savory undertones make it excellent with weeknight Italian dishes, especially tomato-based ones, and it pairs beautifully with porcini risotto, braised eggplant, or sausage with fennel. For a regional favorite, pour it alongside tajarin with butter and sage.
Best enjoyed now through 2027, when its generous fruit and youthful charm are at their peak.