Mascarello Dolcetto

Mascarello.

 

The word immediately conjures up a myriad of thoughts and emotions.  Whether you're discussing the ultra traditionalist Bartolo or his younger neo-classicist brother,  the common denominator is quality. Classic, traditional, quality.

 

The subject of today's post is the recently released 2011 G. Mascarello Dolcetto d'Alba.  Sourced from a single vineyard in Monforte d'Alba,  I've tasted this wine twice in the last week;  first at a retailer where the wine was being tasted, and the second over dinner about a week later.

 

There is no doubting the purity of this wine. 100% stainless steel fermentation leaves the pure, vibrant nature of Dolcetto to fully express itself in the glass.  The wine is a deep violet color; very typical and very lovely to look at.  In the glass, the classic aromas of Dolcetto are abundant.  Black plums, licorice, mineral, and smoke frame the pretty floral and lavendar notes that form the core of the wine's bouquet.

 

In the mouth, the wine is juicy, lively, with pretty floral tones to the ripe plum fruit.  There's a hint of spice and smoke to the fruit that provides enticing complexity to the palate.  This is an elegant, slightly more restrained style of Dolcetto that is not surprising given the overall philosophy of the producer.  Balanced well, the wine paired wonderfully with a comforting bowl of rigatoni with eggplant and tomato.  91 points, about $23. 

Single Vineyard Dolcetto from G. Mascarello