Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba Superiore Garabei, Abrigo Giovanni

The finest expression of Dolcetto among those made by the Abrigo family. Complex and elegant, as well as being a reference wine among those made with 100% Dolcetto, Garabei has excellent potential for ageing

Grape variety

Dolcetto 100%

Vineyard

“Garabei” is the name that indicates the estate's oldest vineyard, situated within the Additional Geographic Mention (MGA) Sorì dei Crava. The vineyard was planted in 1968, the year the estate was established. Vines that are over fiLy years old and the diversity of the rootstocks and clones give Garabei innate complexity. This is undoubtedly our most prestigious vineyard. It is on a very steep hill, where the lean and dry calcareous soil is shallow, characterised by layers of more or less compact sand alternating with grey sandstones (sands compacted and cemented by marine water carbonates), known as Arenarie di Diano or Diano Sandstones. South, south-westerly exposure. Altitude 350 m above sea level. Typical espalier vineyards and Guyot pruning, average plant density of 4,100 vines per hectare

Harvest

By hand, into crates, in second mid-September, when phenolic ripening is complete

Grape yield per hectare

8,000 kg

Vinification

Destemming of the grapes selected in the vineyard. Vinification in temperature-controlled steel tanks, with 10-12 days' maceration. Pumping over is usually carried out until the wine is drawn off. Spontaneous malo-lactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks and cold tartaric stabilisation during the winter months

Ageing

It rests in concrete tanks until the summer aLer harvest, being racked some times to encourage natural settling and stabilisation. The wine was bottled in September 2019 and aged for four months before being released onto the market

Description

Deep ruby red with the typical violet highlights of Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba. Rose petals, blue raspberry and wild sour cherries with small hints of tea, black pepper and almonds. Potent yet elegant, Garabei has very tight and enveloping tannins. me wine's good acidity preserves the taste and sustains the very smooth and persistent finish. As it ages, it tends to lose the violet highlights and is enriched with brushwood and earthy notes. It evolves perfectly during the five years afterr harvest, continuing to age beautifully for over 10 years in the best vintages. Recommended with aged hams, hard cheeses, filled pasta, grilled vegetables and light main courses

Serving temperature

16-18° C