Luciano Sandrone 2024 Dolcetto d'Alba 750ml

Dolcetto means “little sweet one,” a name that describes the grape’s soft, fruity charm rather than any sweetness in the wine. At Luciano Sandrone, the estate best known for Barolo, Dolcetto gets the same attention to detail as its more famous siblings. The 2024 is made from 100% Dolcetto from the high hills around Barolo: Rivassi in Barolo, Cascina Pe Mol and Castelletto in Monforte d’Alba, and Ravera and Rocche di San Nicola in Novello. In the cellar, the wine ferments spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and macerates in open steel tanks, then completes malolactic fermentation and ages in steel with no oak, resting at least three months in bottle before release. It is 12.5% ABV.

The 2024 growing season began with a May flowering under variable conditions, which set a large crop and required careful cluster thinning, then a clear, warm July that brought rapid growth and maturation. The winery says the result is “a less extracted version of Dolcetto than the last few vintages, rather one of transparency and lightness.” Its notes describe a dark purple color, “a nose of red and black fruits” that is “quite forward, with a distinct vein of bright blueberry, framed by mineral and sottobosco notes,” a palate where “the fruit dominates, especially the blueberry, a fruit of less apparent sweetness and more freshness,” “subdued but ripe” tannins, and “a long” finish “dominated by bright acidic fruits and ripe but mellow tannins.”

Critics rated it highly. James Suckling scored it 93 Points, calling it an “intense and reductive style with tense plums and black cherries,” “very vinous and lightly spicy.” Doctor Wine gave 91 and Vinous 90. Another description finds “ripe plum and blackberry aromas” with “spice and a distinct mineral note,” and a “savory finish.” The estate describes the style as “elegance and finesse, with smooth, soft and less impactful tannins” and a finish that is “delicately almondy.” It’s a juicy, mineral, food-friendly red meant to be enjoyed young, for the everyday table, though the winery says it can age five to ten years.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Luciano Sandrone 2024 Dolcetto d’Alba is produced by Luciano Sandrone in Barolo, Piedmont, Italy. It is 100% Dolcetto from vineyards in Barolo (Rivassi), Monforte d’Alba (Cascina Pe Mol, Castelletto), and Novello (Ravera, Rocche di San Nicola). Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, maceration and fermentation in open steel tanks, malolactic fermentation and aging in steel, with at least three months of bottle aging. Bottled at 12.5% ABV, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

James Suckling — 93 Points:
“Intense and reductive style with tense plums and black cherries. Very vinous and lightly spicy.”

Doctor Wine — 91 Points

Vinous — 90 Points

Luciano Sandrone (official tasting notes):
“Dark purple color. The nose of red and black fruits is quite forward, with a distinct vein of bright blueberry, framed by mineral and sottobosco notes. On the palate, the fruit dominates, especially the blueberry, a fruit of less apparent sweetness and more freshness. Tannins are subdued but ripe and give a fine-boned structure. It is a less extracted version of Dolcetto than the last few vintages, rather one of transparency and lightness if compared to its recent siblings. The finish is long, dominated by bright acidic fruits and ripe but mellow tannins.”

Tasting Profile

Nose
Dark purple. Red and black fruit lead, with bright blueberry, plum, blackberry, and cherry, framed by mineral and forest-floor notes and a delicate spicy finish.

Palate
Fresh and juicy, with blueberry, plum, and black cherry, with fine-boned structure, subdued ripe tannin, and balanced acidity.

Finish
Long and bright, with mellow tannin and a delicate almond note.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Eggplant parmigiana
• Chicken cacciatore
• Pizza, pasta, and salumi
• Mild game and grilled meats

Serving Note

Serve slightly cool, at 14-16°C; decant for about an hour if you like.