Score: 91/100
Azienda Agricola Marziano Abbona is a famous wine producer of the Langhe region located around the town of Dogliani, town famous for producing some of the best Dolcetto wines in the world.
The winery also produce a wide range of wines including single vineyard Barolos, Barbera d’Alba, and Nebbiolo d’Alba.
But being a Dogliani DOCG, the Papà Celso wine tasted here is a special wine for the producer that they have been making since 1975.
It is the winery’s flagship wine, dedicated to the memory of Celso Abbona, father of Marziano, who planted every vine in the Doriolo vineyard. The wine is exclusively produced with grapes from this vineyard. It is Abbona’s most important Dogliani, made from grapes grown on vines over 60 years old.
The whole winemaking process takes place in stainless steel tanks, no oak here. Both fermentations and a 10-month ageing are done in tank.
So how good is 2015 Marziano Abbona Papà Celso Dogliani?
The answer is in the tasting notes:
As soon as the wine comes out of the bottle, you can’t fail but to notice the intensity and darkness of the color. There are serious inky hues to this wine. Very dark red with purple hues making it look almost black.
The aromas are intense, dominated by a clear smell of Amaretto (almond liqueur). Moe liqueur-like scents join the party with cherry and plum liqueurs. Some spices lift things up, nutmeg and clove.
A captivating and charming nose with its lifted warm scents of liqueurs combined with the darkness of spices, cocoa, a touch of leather and some vanilla.
Put it in your mouth, and things get even more exciting and complex!
Where do we start?
First things first, the wine is full of a solid body, tannins, good acidity too. One word: concentrated.
Tannins are well present, but smoothened by large amounts of fine fine silky ones.
There is also loads of spices of all kinds, well-mixed and integrated with the natural primary spiciness of the Dolcetto grapes. The result makes the wine somehow frantic in a appositive way, and so lively from the spices on your palate: peppermint, black pepper, nutmeg and clove. It’s a parade.
The good acidity at its end, keeps the liveliness of the wine’s fruit characters on display. Juicy strawberry tones, fresh cherry liqueur. Plenty of red-fruit juiciness.
Add a certain meaty juiciness, and a touch of leather to the whole, and you’re on for a rich and fascinating experience.
Wine & Food Pairings
Because the wine is dry and on the savory side, although very well balanced by the ripeness of its characters, you’ll be able to enjoy several glasses without getting overwhelmed, and it will pair well with powerfully-flavors foods.
As ideal pairings, I’m thinking meaty stews and grilled herbal-scented meats.
Please let me know your thoughts