The grapes are sourced from two vineyards: Monrobiolo and Ruè. Normally fermented spontaneously in concrete with approximately 1-2 weeks of maceration. Aged for 6-9 months in old botti casks. 13% alcohol.
Slightly hazy and almost fully opaque blackish cherry color with some sense of concentration. Very beautiful, fragrant and attractive nose with aromas of boysenberries, some liqueur-ish VA, a little bit of candied wine gum, light licorice tones, a hint of perfumed floral character and a lifted touch of minty herbal character. The wine is dense, full-bodied and somewhat concentrated on the palate with slightly muscular overall feel. Intense flavors of plummy fruit, ripe blackberries, some stony minerality, a little bit of boysenberry jam, light savory spicy tones, a lifted hint of nail polish VA and a touch of sour cherry bitterness. Very structured overall feel with high acidity and moderately grippy, firm tannins. The finish is dry, concentrated and moderately grippy with bold, complex flavors of sour cherry bitterness, some ripe blackberries, a little bit of perfumed floral character, light earthy tones, a hint of stony minerality and a touch of developed meaty umami.
An outstanding powerhouse of a wine with remarkably elegant and harmonious overall feel. If somebody says that a Dolcetto can't be more than a simple everyday wine, they haven't tasted this. Bartolo Mascarello's Dolcetto is a wine that manages to put many of the finest Nebbiolos to Barolo in its shadow. Although starting to show the very first signs of age, the wine is still young and not going to reach its apogee anytime soon. Probably the greatest Dolcetto I've ever tasted. Exceptional stuff, highly recommended.
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Late Night, After Dinner Blind Tasting (House of Nanda - Chicago IL): Late night, tasted double blind. Again I had no idea what this might be, but truly enjoyed the bright red fruit that started out with good concentration. Perhaps slightly hollow in the middle, but very tasty indeed.
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Blinds with friends (Chicago, IL): Served blind (immediately after a 2013 Cappellano Dolcetto). Nose has bright black and red cherry, herbs and bell pepper. Medium bodied with moderate concentration. Suave, grippy tannin provides some texture and grip. Lots of spice and pepper in the finish. Once again, I had no clue as to what this was. Pretty amazing to have two blind Dolcettos at this tasting, from Piemonte maestros. I preferred this by a tiny bit to the Cappellano.
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Some rainy-day blinds (Chicago, IL): Served double blind. As with the previous bottle of 2013 Cappellano Dolcetto, this threw us all in a tizzy. The nose was a little spicy, and showed lots of lovely sweet red fruit. Juicy and fruity on the palate as well, with very subdued oak influence (if there was any at all). I wasn't able to place this anywhere at all.
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Dark red, lovely nose of spices and red fruits, good mid-weight body and acidity with a decent finish. Fantastic dolcetto and still going strong, can still drink for a few years at least.
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Italy 2012 - Piemonte; 7/8/2012-7/14/2012 (La Morra): Tasted at the winery. Pure and juicy dark cherry nose with hints of floral and earth. In the mouth it’s soft but with good acidity and drying tannins. Good fruit and lots of structure, this is a really nice Dolcetto that will drink well now and for another 3-5 years. Very good.
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The nose showed crushed blackberry, floral notes, wild herbs and earth with a rustic twist. On the palate, it was medium bodied with plush blackberry fruits and a bit of tart citrus, which coated the senses and lasted through the long finish. The wine's structure could be felt in the close as hints of tannin clung to the palate.
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10/7/2019 - forceberry wrote: 95 Points
The grapes are sourced from two vineyards: Monrobiolo and Ruè. Normally fermented spontaneously in concrete with approximately 1-2 weeks of maceration. Aged for 6-9 months in old botti casks. 13% alcohol.
Slightly hazy and almost fully opaque blackish cherry color with some sense of concentration. Very beautiful, fragrant and attractive nose with aromas of boysenberries, some liqueur-ish VA, a little bit of candied wine gum, light licorice tones, a hint of perfumed floral character and a lifted touch of minty herbal character. The wine is dense, full-bodied and somewhat concentrated on the palate with slightly muscular overall feel. Intense flavors of plummy fruit, ripe blackberries, some stony minerality, a little bit of boysenberry jam, light savory spicy tones, a lifted hint of nail polish VA and a touch of sour cherry bitterness. Very structured overall feel with high acidity and moderately grippy, firm tannins. The finish is dry, concentrated and moderately grippy with bold, complex flavors of sour cherry bitterness, some ripe blackberries, a little bit of perfumed floral character, light earthy tones, a hint of stony minerality and a touch of developed meaty umami.
An outstanding powerhouse of a wine with remarkably elegant and harmonious overall feel. If somebody says that a Dolcetto can't be more than a simple everyday wine, they haven't tasted this. Bartolo Mascarello's Dolcetto is a wine that manages to put many of the finest Nebbiolos to Barolo in its shadow. Although starting to show the very first signs of age, the wine is still young and not going to reach its apogee anytime soon. Probably the greatest Dolcetto I've ever tasted. Exceptional stuff, highly recommended.
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5/20/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 Points
Late Night, After Dinner Blind Tasting (House of Nanda - Chicago IL): Late night, tasted double blind. Again I had no idea what this might be, but truly enjoyed the bright red fruit that started out with good concentration. Perhaps slightly hollow in the middle, but very tasty indeed.
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5/20/2017 - Nanda wrote: 91 Points
Blinds with friends (Chicago, IL): Served blind (immediately after a 2013 Cappellano Dolcetto). Nose has bright black and red cherry, herbs and bell pepper. Medium bodied with moderate concentration. Suave, grippy tannin provides some texture and grip. Lots of spice and pepper in the finish. Once again, I had no clue as to what this was. Pretty amazing to have two blind Dolcettos at this tasting, from Piemonte maestros. I preferred this by a tiny bit to the Cappellano.
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5/20/2017 - acyso wrote: 90 Points
Some rainy-day blinds (Chicago, IL): Served double blind. As with the previous bottle of 2013 Cappellano Dolcetto, this threw us all in a tizzy. The nose was a little spicy, and showed lots of lovely sweet red fruit. Juicy and fruity on the palate as well, with very subdued oak influence (if there was any at all). I wasn't able to place this anywhere at all.
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3/25/2017 - ricemanhk Likes this wine:
Dark red, lovely nose of spices and red fruits, good mid-weight body and acidity with a decent finish. Fantastic dolcetto and still going strong, can still drink for a few years at least.
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9/28/2014 - tom.hull33 wrote: 88 Points
At the end of it's life..... drink up!
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1/10/2014 - the godfather wrote:
Tasty
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12/27/2013 - the godfather wrote:
Flat out rocks
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12/2/2013 - the godfather wrote:
Delish
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11/3/2013 - the godfather wrote:
Great
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9/10/2013 - Charogers wrote: 86 Points
Ok. Getting to the end of my stock and not that sad about it. Dark fruit, short length. Have it with food
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8/4/2013 - the godfather wrote:
righteous
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7/27/2013 - the godfather wrote:
The best dolcetto I've had
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3/22/2013 - JOsgood wrote: 92 Points
About as good as a Dolcetto can be. Juicy and a touch earthy with wonderful acidity and perfect balance. Fantastic.
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11/11/2012 - JOsgood wrote: 91 Points
Tasted at the Cantina. About as good as Dolcetto gets. Deep, pure and earthy. Lengthy finish. This is a can't miss wine with food.
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11/9/2012 - EMichels wrote: 92 Points
Great nose - pure natural fruit; Palatte follows through - very nice; Great finish; Slightly chewy; Cherry; Tiny bit of strawberry; Excellent; +
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7/9/2012 - godx wrote: 89 Points
Italy 2012 - Piemonte; 7/8/2012-7/14/2012 (La Morra): Tasted at the winery. Pure and juicy dark cherry nose with hints of floral and earth. In the mouth it’s soft but with good acidity and drying tannins. Good fruit and lots of structure, this is a really nice Dolcetto that will drink well now and for another 3-5 years. Very good.
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5/27/2012 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 89 Points
The nose showed crushed blackberry, floral notes, wild herbs and earth with a rustic twist. On the palate, it was medium bodied with plush blackberry fruits and a bit of tart citrus, which coated the senses and lasted through the long finish. The wine's structure could be felt in the close as hints of tannin clung to the palate.
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4/5/2012 - Obalde wrote:
med ruby w/ purple rim; med+ nose of game, cherry, brick, leather flowers and licorice; med+ acid, med finish, red fruits
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10/1/2011 - Papies wrote: 85 Points
Annual Pilgrimage to Piedmont; 9/30/2011-10/2/2011 (Piedmont, Italy): Bottled in July, still very vibrant brown red in colour. Good fruit, forward and medium bodied. Traditional, no oak and very pure, no rough edges to be drunk starting 6 months of so. 85
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