Marziano Abbona, Dogliani (Piedmont, Italy) 2008

 Dogliani is an appellation that was created to showcase Dolcetto, which was long enshadowed in Piedmont not only by Nebbiolo but also by Barbera.  The best renditions are packed with flavor but very soft and even tender in texture, and this bottling definitely fits that description.  The fruit notes recall red cherries and berries predominantly, with accents of carpaccio and a savory, almost salty backnote.  The tannins are so soft and rounded that they stay well in the background, yet the wine is nicely focused and structured.  This could work well with many foods, but could also be a far better stand-alone sipper than most red wines now consumed in this manner.