2022 Giuseppe Cortese Langhe Dolcetto, Piedmont, Italy

ABOUT THIS WINE

100% Dolcetto from the Trifolera vineyard, in Barbaresco. This is a western exposed vineyard, planted at an altitude of 200-300m. Soils are limestone and clay rich in minerals. Vines are 35 years old. 

Grapes are hand-harvested, generally in September. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel for approximately 6-7 days with 5 days of maceration and pumpovers. Élevage is also in stainless steel for 6 months, followed by 3-4 months in bottle. 

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Giuseppe Cortese is a small, family-run estate in Barbaresco, Piedmont, best known for their holdings in the celebrated Rabajà cru. Although the Cortese family has farmed vines for generations, Giuseppe only began estate bottling in 1971. Today, the family farms reach roughly eight hectares, concentrated primarily in Rabajà and the neighboring Trifolera hillside.

Rabajà is the heart of the estate, with approximately four hectares devoted primarily to Nebbiolo for their flagship Barbaresco Rabajà and, in select vintages, Rabajà Riserva. Nearby Trifolera features varied exposures and elevations and is planted to Dolcetto, Barbera, Chardonnay, and other varieties. This vineyard is the source of the estate’s Langhe Dolcetto, bringing the same careful farming and focus on terroir found in its more prestigious Barbaresco wines.

The estate remains firmly family-run, with Giuseppe’s son Pier Carlo overseeing winemaking. Their approach is traditional and restrained, emphasizing careful vineyard work and minimal intervention in the cellar. Nebbiolo is spontaneously fermented in old cement vessels and aged in large Slavonian oak botti, allowing the character of the vineyard to remain at the forefront. The result is a classic, terroir-driven style built around freshness, elegance, and a clear expression of Barbaresco.