Cascina Corte, Dogliani (Langhe, Piedmont, Italy) 2009

This terrific wine is somewhere very close to being as good as Dolcetto can be.  This variety is a specialty in the Dogliani sub-zone of the Langhe, just south of the Barolo district.  In this case, organic grapes sourced from old vines produced a wine with perfect proportions and impeccable balance between fruit, tannin and acidity.  Thanks to some time in bottle, interesting aromatic complexities are already emerging, but the fruit remains fresh.  The texture is soft but still shows some grip, and this will be a superb performer at the table with a wide range of foods.