Even though all wines at Rocco di Carpeneto receive similar attention, the STEIRA, Piedmontese for star, shines brightest in the young winery's Dolcetto sky. The grapes for this come from the Vigneto Rocco, planted in 1970; the yields are low, but the quality is all the higher. The early-ripening variety is harvested by hand in the second half of September, after which the grapes are briefly crushed before being fermented spontaneously in large wooden barrels. The final maturation takes place over 20 months in tonneaux and predominantly used barriques. Before the 960 bottles are filled, a small amount of sulphur is added and no fining or filtering is carried out.
Full-bodied, juicy, compact and concentrated. The Steira lacks nothing. It has tannins, alcohol and acidity, and so much of each that everything is in perfect balance right from the start, but at the same time nothing stands in the way of a long life. Dark aromas characterise the nose, pepper goes hand in hand with dark cherries and plums. The texture is powerful, dense and animating, the finish lasting and straightforward.
Data sheet
Grape variety: 100% Dolcetto
Vineyard: Vigna Rocco. Planted with Dolcetto in 1970. Situated on a plateau at 270 metres above sea level, the vineyard is mainly based on loam and clay, the planting density is 5000 vines per hectare with an average yield of 0.8 kg/vine
Exposure: East-west
Harvest: by hand
Fermentation: spontaneous | wild yeasts, in large wooden barrels
Ageing: 20 months in used tonneaux and barriques.
Filtration: no
SO₂: < 60mg/litre
Alcohol content: 14% vol
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking temperature: 16-18 °C
Perfect drinking maturity: from now - 2030
Content and price per litre: 0.75 l/(€24.87/l)
Maxime: All winegrowers listed with Vinonudo work with compost, organic fertiliser and natural preparations in their vineyards and refrain from using herbicides, pesticides and artificial fertilisers.
