Burlotto Dolcetto d'Alba 2021

G.B. Burlotto is a family run Piedmont estate established in 1850 by Giovan Battista Burlotto, aka il Commendatore. Burlotto was known as the “Supplier to the Savoy Royal Household” and “The Only Supplier to the Duke of Abruzzi’s Arctic Expedition to the North Pole.” He further set himself apart by introducing the practice of selling bottled wine bearing his estate’s name (like the French Chateau) at a time when wine was generally sold in cask.

Il Commendatore's great niece Marina Burlotto manages the winery currently. Her husband Giuseppe Alessandria manages the vineyards, and their son Fabio is the winemaker and is also in charge of marketing. They own 30 acres, 24 of which are situated in the commune of Verduno, the site of the famous Monvigliero cru, which is noted for its wholly south-facing position and soil of white marl. Burlotto’s Monvigliero Barolo bottling is the estate’s signature wine.

In the cellar Fabio works traditionally; selected wines are foot crushed, with minimal intervention. Hand harvested grapes are destemmed, then fermented via natural yeast with extended skin contact and manual punch downs. The cool night time temperatures of Verduno and meticulous work in the vineyards and in the cellar contribute to the elegance, depth, and complexity of the wines produced here, which are considered amongst the best in Piedmont.