Monterustico

Monterustico is a project by the Vaira family, who are better known as G.D. Vajra, one of Barolo's most thoughtful producers. The focus here is on Dogliani, a small denomination on the southern Langhe hills about sixteen kilometres south of Barolo, once considered among Piedmont's finest areas for Dolcetto before the grape fell out of fashion.

Dolcetto from Dogliani is darker and more structured than the Dolcetto d'Alba that most people encounter first: deep violet in colour, with purple fruit, violet flowers, and a refreshing bitterness on the finish that makes it an ideal partner for food. The intention with Monterustico is to remind people what good Dogliani can taste like, and on that basis it succeeds.