2024 Dolcetto
$32.00 - Wine Club Price
Tasting Notes
The 2024 Dolcetto exemplifies Washington State’s viticultural versatility, showcasing the distinctive character of this Italian variety. Medium-bodied and food-friendly, it balances generous, jammy red and dark fruit with bright acidity. The aromatic profile opens with sweet plum, blackberry jam, and candied cherry, leading to fresh raspberry on the palate. Subtle notes of anise mingle with a light touch of cranberry, complementing the wine’s fruit expression. Vibrant acidity provides balance throughout and carries the wine to a refined, silky finish. Enjoy now through 2038, with peak maturity anticipated around 2034.
Vineyard Designation
100% Estate Grown
Vintage Notes
The 2024 vintage in Washington State was cooler than previous vintages, yet impressive. A mild winter gave way to a chilly spring, with consistent bud break across our vineyard by the third week of April. Below-average spring temperatures delayed growth, while meticulous vineyard management allowed us to tailor crop loads to each tier of grapes. A cool June was followed by welcome heat in July and August, with veraison complete by the second week of August. Despite a warm September, ripening remained approximately two weeks behind average, helping preserve bright acidity. A beautiful Washington State fall and later frosts allowed additional hang time for optimal ripeness and maturity. Overall, 2024 is shaping up to be an exceptional vintage, producing some of the ripest grapes we’ve harvested in years, especially among the red varieties. Our white wines will showcase bright tropical fruit aromas and stone fruit flavors with balanced, brisk acidity. The red wines will be robust yet elegant, with dark berry flavors, refined tannins, and slightly more pronounced acidity, offering enjoyment in their youth and the potential to cellar for many years.
Winemaking Notes
Sourced exclusively from our Estate Vineyard, our Dolcetto is cultivated following Reserve Tier standards throughout the growing season. Vines are managed for lower yields to enhance flavor concentration and aromatic intensity. Grapes were harvested in early October at peak ripeness, then fully destemmed without crushing and sorted using an optical system before being transferred to small-format fermenters. Following a 48-hour cold soak, fermentation commenced with three distinct yeast strains—each selected for fruit-forward expression, complexity, or varietal character—with careful consideration given to their compatibility, an essential factor in crafting a reserve wine of this caliber. Balanced extraction techniques included gentle punch-downs twice daily for phenolic development. Fermentation spanned approximately 11 days, with temperatures maintained below 86°F. After fermentation, the wine was gently pressed and transferred directly to French oak barrels to complete malolactic fermentation. Upon completion, lees stirring was conducted bimonthly for three months, promoting a rounder mouthfeel and naturally softening the wine. The wine matured for 22 months entirely in two- to three-year-old French oak barrels, allowing the variety’s exotic aromatics to stand out while developing a creamy, integrated finish without excessive oak influence.
* Produced in a Vegan Manner (No animal byproducts used in the production of this wine)
Food Pairing
• Wood-Fired Sausage & Mushroom Pizza
• Classic Beef and Ricotta Lasagna with Tomato Sauce
• Charcuterie Board with Prosciutto, Aged Salami, and Fontina Cheese
• Herb-Infused Pork or Lamb Meatballs
• Wild Mushroom and Parmesan Risotto
• Grilled Italian Sausages with Roasted Peppers and Onions
• Crispy Bacon and Caramelized Onion Flatbread
- Varietal Composition: 100% Dolcetto
- Appellation: Yakima Valley
- Aging / Barrel Program: 22 months in 100% French oak (2 to 3-year-old barrels)
- Cases Produced: 53
- Alcohol: 14.1%
- pH: 3.80
- Acidity: 6.1 g/L
- Ageability: Cellar through 2038, with optimal maturity in 2034.