2017 Idlewild Dolcetto Fox Hill Vineyard- USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (12/27/2019)
I have been following this wine since 2013, and the 2017 is the best vintage I have tasted. The tannins are more refined, and there is more aromatic complexity. It’s still a gutsy wine, but that’s Dolcetto. What I liked the most was the floral elements on the nose, and the length of the finish. The wine brought a lot to the table. I asked Sam Bilbro (Idlewild owner and winemaker, vineyard manager, etc.) if there was anything different about the 2017, and he indicated that there was a combination of improvements in the vineyard, better tannin management, and a bit of vintage influence. So no specific thing, but just a confluence of factors leading to generally improved quality for what was already a very good wine.
Nice note David, had a bottle of this last week and was just as you described. When I tasted this in November at the Idlewild Open House I ordered a few extra bottles. My note is below.
2017 Idlewild Dolcetto Fox Hill Vineyard: Fermented 100% whole cluster with partial foot treading, this vintage shows the contrast of bright freshness against firm structure that I love seeing in Dolcetto. The 2017 Dolcetto is full of earthy, cherry, herbal aromas that give an indication of whats coming. Flavors of dried cherry, earth, sweet herbs, almond and eucalyptus. The tannin management in this wine is perfect. They enhance the wine without overwhelming the fruit and other flavor attributes. Have some salumi and a glass of 2017 Idlewild Dolcetto and you will soon be smiling. 12.4 ABV