Hello Enzo!

Enzo Boglietti, Tiglineru, Dolcetto d'Alba, 2007.

I heard from Charles Curtis, MW a few weeks ago in an Italian wine seminar for the IMW residential classes that Dolcetto smells like dog food, I guess this is a marker for some people? I can't say I've ever had that experience but now when I think of Dolcetto all I think of is Kibbles 'n Bits.

I really liked this wine, $19.99 at the Wine House, it was darkly colored with black stone fruits, plums, etc., moderate tannins, which gave it a nice astringency on the finish and moderate acidity. It certainly doesn't have the acidity of Sangiovese, Barbera or Nebbiolo, but definitely some dusty minerality, which to me just screams Italy.

Roagna Dolcetto

Roagna, Dolcetto, 2007.

I think this wine is just outstanding quality for the price. Super delicious - NOT too tanky and primary like so many really bad Dolcettos - it must be done in neutral barrel. No new oak, that would kill the soft blueberry fruit, but definitely has some complexity that occurs in neutral barrel.

Peter and I often pour off a little wine into an air tight 187ml bottle so that I can use it for blind tasting. So I got home from Tavern Monday night (which incidentally just has some of the best take home food in LA from the Larder) and drank it from my little 187ml bottle. I didn't know what it was. I thought Grenache. Why am I always thinking Grenache? But it was totally delicious 2 weeks later and much needed after a night at work.

Domaine LA, $18.99.