WTN: Mascarello Dolcetto d'Alba '93..What Did I Do Wrong?

Tried this throwaway wine last night w/ my Chorizo Risotto al Forno:
1. Giuseppe e Figlio Mascarello DOC: Dolcetto d'Alba Pianromualdo in Monforte d'Alba (12%) 1993: Very dark color w/ slight browning; rather pungent/licorice/spicy/all spice some grapey/Dolcetto slight funky/earthy/leathery quite interesting nose; somewhat tart/sharp/acidic/citric some tangy/metallic pungent/licorice/Dolcetto/bit grapey rather smooth/polished quite interesting flavor; rather long sharp/tangy/metallic/acidic pungent/licorice/Dolcetto slight funky/earthy/leathery/bretty some complex finish w/ smooth/light tannins; quite an interesting Dolcetto and brightened up the risotto. $14.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Awwwright...we've been told over & over by wine authorities that Dolcettos don't age, that you must drink them young. So I was expecting this 15 yr old Dolcetto to be totally dead & gone. It was not. Maybe a bit beyond its prime, but still a definite pleasure to drink. Especially w/ food. It had this kinda tangy character on the palate, sorta like biting down on a strip of aluminum foil and feeling the electrifying sensation as it came in contact w/ your fillings.
Dolcetto is another Piedmontese variety I have trouble getting my arms around. It often has a sharp acidity and somewhat bitey tannins that would suggest it a good candidate for aging. Often I've seem them characterized as the Beaujolais of Italy, probably because you're "supposed" to drink them young, but I've never/ever seen even the remotest resembalance to Beaujolais. I've asked this question before ("with the acids and the tannins, why don't Dolcettos age"?), with no good answers..just that you're supposed to drink Dolcettos young. To tell the truth, I far prefer the Dolcettos of Dogliani to most of those from Piedmonte.
So...this old Dolcetto was a pretty tasty wine...what did I do wrong?? Old Dolcettos are "bad" we've been told.
Tom

[David M. Bueker]

Most old Dolcetto are bad. Most old everything is bad. Most does not apply to most of what people like us drink.

We also tend to have good storage. Been in any wine shops in Torino lately? You have to drink the wines young because they get cooked in the shops.

To tell the truth, I far prefer the Dolcettos of Dogliani to most of those from Piedmonte.

Did they move Dogliani out of Piedmont?

Dolcetto is made in a wide variety of styles, and can be quite tannic (though generally low acid).

Most old Dolcetto are bad. Most old everything is bad. Most does not apply to most of what people like us drink.

We also tend to have good storage. Been in any wine shops in Torino lately? You have to drink the wines young because they get cooked in the shops.

David
Very much the case - Casa del Barolo on Andrea Dora springs immediately to mind - especially with the older wines thoughfully placed on the high shelf around the room .

We discovered a little place in the northern suburbs (Docks Dora area). Small shop, but also have an offsite warehouse and loads of really old (not always good mind ) stuff. Some fine old Gattinara's have good memories. If you're interested let me know and I'll pm their website to you.

regards

Ian

[Robin Garr]

We discovered a little place in the northern suburbs (Docks Dora area). Small shop, but also have an offsite warehouse and loads of really old (not always good mind ) stuff. Some fine old Gattinara's have good memories. If you're interested let me know and I'll pm their website to you.

Ian, it's okay to put their Website in this thread ... others in the forum may be able to take advantage of it as well, and it's not spam when you're a regular member posting useful informtion.

We discovered a little place in the northern suburbs (Docks Dora area). Small shop, but also have an offsite warehouse and loads of really old (not always good mind ) stuff. Some fine old Gattinara's have good memories. If you're interested let me know and I'll pm their website to you.

Ian, it's okay to put their Website in this thread ... others in the forum may be able to take advantage of it as well, and it's not spam when you're a regular member posting useful informtion.

Do I have to? I don't want all the good stuff to go

No worries: http://www.grandibottiglie.it/index.php is the link, follow lista dei vini for the list. It's a slightly confusing layout in spreadsheet option, less so in acrobat. Do bear in mind the 20% local tax and the slightly odd 2,00 bottiglie = 2 bottles. Nice folk to buy from - but do phone in advance if visiting as the shop has mostly current vintage wines - they need to bring the older stuff from the warehouse. Number 10 tram (IIRC) from University or Stazione Porta Susa for those travelling 'a piedi'.

N.B. for those in the office, you've probably just attracted quite a bit of attention, as they have a voiceover by a lady called 'Estella' on the webpage. You're probably cursing me now

No connections by the way (always worth declaring IMO)

regards

Ian

Often I've seem them characterized as the Beaujolais of Italy, probably because you're "supposed" to drink them young,

The comparison with Bojo sounds reasonable. But some would keep Bojo crus longer than 10 years too. Depends on the wine and personal taste surely!

What you did wrong, Tom, is develop a palate for BAD OLD WINE!

Had you followed the path of your fellow wine geeks, you'd recognize the error of your ways.