Dolcetto d'Alba, Bricco dell'Oriolo, 2020

‘Bricco’ in the local Piemontese dialect translates as ‘hill’, indicating in this instance that the wine comes from a fillet of a single vineyard at the top of the slope. If you think Dolcetto is a light-weight, entry-level red then the Azelia Bricco Oriolo will serve to change that. Grown in Montelupo Albese, it is a full south facing site (which many would replant to the more valuable Nebbiolo) with vines averaging 55 years of age. Ageing is carried out exclusively in stainless steel to preserve the freshness and clarity of spicy red and black fruits, flowers and plums.