Score: 86/100
Musso is a famous winery located in the village of Barbaresco in the Piedmont wine region of Italy.
Their iconic wines include a series of single vineyard Barbaresco wines made of the Nebbiolo grape, but they also produce a variety of more affordable beverages showcasing the diversity Piedmont has to offer: Langhe Freisa, Barbera d’Alba, Roero Arneis, Langhe Chardonnay to name but a few, and the Dolcetto wine from Alba reviewed here.
Vineyard Characteristics
Musso believes that Dolcetto vines are best suited on white soils with high percentage of limestone. The grape takes its name from the sweet sensation (dolce being Italian for sweet) that one feels at tasting it.
Dolcetto produced by Musso winery has its origins from a south-west exposed vineyard, situated in the prestigious Rio Sordo area, in Barbaresco village.
Winemaking
Fermentations take place in stainless steel tanks under controlled temperatures to make sure they don’t exceed 23 – 25° C to preserve the fruity characters of the wine.
Following the malolactic fermentation, the wine remains to rest in stainless steel tanks for a few months after which it is transferred in 4,000L oak vats where it staid for about 2 months.
Tasting Notes
With a red slightly purple color, this wine comes with some dark intensity appearance (for a European wine at least) like Dolcetto often does. Not extremely dark, but with solid intensity indeed.
The aromatic profile feels tight at this stage, perhaps because the wine is young. Acidic berry notes, peppery spiciness, a little green capsicum. Not a lot to get out of smelling it as I’m sniffing it!
The palate is little more telling and confirms we are here with a rather serious version of a Dolcetto. It does have some of the body, richness, and a lot of spiciness we expect from the grape. But solid acidity as well.
Flavors are those of blueberry, white pepper, and capsicum (bell pepper).
Smooth tannins though, just a little grippy and granulous.
The finish gives away a bit more ripe fruit richness, discrete strawberry jam, raspberry.
Overall
A characterful and well-balanced Dolcetto wine, delivering powerful spiciness and tight red berry flavors in a smooth and well-rounded feel.
It probably needs a year in bottle to soften and open up a little further before you’ll get the full enjoyment out of it!
Cheers 🙂
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