Dolcetto d'Alba, Roagna 2024

For lovers of traditionally made Nebbiolo, few names carry the reverence and mystique of Roagna. Deeply rooted in the hills of Barbaresco since the late nineteenth century, with documented bottlings dating back to 1890, the estate has become one of Piedmont’s most uncompromising and sought after producers, crafting wines of extraordinary finesse, detail and longevity from some of the Langhe’s greatest vineyard sites. Today led by Luca Roagna alongside his father Alfredo, the family remains fiercely committed to traditional winemaking, with organic farming, massal selection, wild yeast fermentation, submerged cap macerations that can extend for several weeks, and long ageing in large neutral oak botti all central to the estate philosophy. At the heart of the domaine lies Pajé, one of Barbaresco’s historic crus, alongside celebrated holdings in Albesani, Gallina, Montefico and Asili, while in Barolo the family’s revered Pira vineyard in Castiglione Falletto produces some of the estate’s most profound wines. Roagna’s combination of tiny production, long ageing regimes and uncompromising traditionalism has earned the wines cult status amongst collectors and sommeliers, often drawing comparisons with the great terroir driven domaines of Burgundy for their transparency, precision and extraordinary ageing potential.

Dolcetto d’Alba is produced from estate vineyards in the Langhe and treated with the same level of precision and vineyard focus that Roagna applies across the entire range. Rather than producing a simple, fruit driven Dolcetto for early drinking alone, the estate aims for a more serious and terroir expressive interpretation, preserving freshness and structure while allowing the variety’s darker fruit and gentle bitterness to remain clearly defined. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts and careful extraction to avoid heaviness, followed by élevage designed to maintain purity and energy rather than oak influence. The wine shows black cherry, plum and wild blackberry, alongside violet florals, almond skin and subtle earthy spice. The palate is supple yet energetic, with soft tannins, fresh acidity and the characteristic lightly bitter finish that gives Dolcetto its gastronomic appeal and drinkability.

Origin Italy, Piedmont, Alba

Grapes Dolcetto

Vintage 2024

Alcohol 13.0%

Style Fresh, vibrant, savoury

Bottle size 75cl

Winemaking Spontaneous fermentation with gentle extraction and élevage in neutral vessels to preserve freshness, aromatic detail and varietal purity

Notes Organic, Low intervention, Sustainable Viticulture