CHIONETTI
The Chionetti family
has been producing some of the greatest Dolcetto made in Italy since 1918 when
Quinto’s grandfather founded the estaste.
The wines produced here are of the single-vineyard variety, meaning that
all the grapes used in production are taken from three small, individual
vineyards that have been deemed to hold specific soil and climactic conditions
perfect for the production of three of the most respected Dolcettos made in
Italy today. These single-vineyard
wines are estate bottled and produced in a traditional Dolcetto style that is
pure and time-tested. Upon each
label will read the vineyard designation: Vigna
la Costa, Briccolero, or San Luigi. Barely 1300 cases of each of these wines are produced in the
most bountiful of vintages.
Dolcetto di Dogliani Briccolero
The Briccolero is one
of the most deeply flavored Dolcettos produced. It is nearly opaque in color and has wonderful, vibrant fruit
aromatics coupled with hints of oak and earth.
The wine shows beautiful lush purple fruit upfront with touches of mint
and basil that signal the pedigree of this wine. The length of flavor is outstanding as well as the majestic
balance that evidences itself through the soft, drippy tannins that flow over
the middle and finish, pulling along luscious fruit and nuances of sweet earth.
Dolcetto di Dogliani Vigna
la Costa
The Vigna la Costa is
explosively fruity, medium-bodied with great ripeness and richness.
The deep ruby red color, satiny texture and intense black fruit flavors
are very persuasive indeed. This is
a wine for great meals and good friends. The
Vigna la Costa has a great aging potential, especially in better vintages. We recommend drinking up to ten years after vintage, and in
some cases even longer.
Dolcetto di Dogliani San
Luigi
The San Luigi is a
brisk, brilliant ruby red wine. Elegantly
dry and full of sumptuous earthy components that make it the most traditional
style Dolcetto of the three. This
wine is made for a filet mignon with its full grippy tannins that are perfectly
balanced by the sensuous flavors of ripe, chocolate covered strawberries,
touches of green minty tea, and surprisingly bright cherried fruit.
The finish is long and supple with flavors lingering well into the next
sip.
“This is a one-wine estate which makes Dolcetto di Dogliani. Such is the reputation that Quinto Chionetti has acquired for his wines that commercial success would be guaranteed for any other wines he added to the production, alongside the Dolcetto crus. Nothing however could be further from his mind. Chionetti is a firm believer in "terroir", the idea that the wine must express the land it grows on and the winemaker who creates it. And therefore his magnificent vineyards in the best site in Dogliani can only produce Dolcetto - but what a Dolcetto! Scrupulous work in the vineyard, severe pruning and traditional vinification with the help of modern technology mean that both the Briccolero and San Luigi crus are at the top of their denomination, even in off vintages. Chionetti only makes 50,000 bottles, released onto the market one year and a half after the vintage. Unusually for Dolcetto, they age well, particularly if they come from a good vintage.”
-slow food guide to wines of the world
