Vino Volta ‘Love Sick Puppy’ Dolcetto 2023

Reviews and Accolades

94 Points Katrina Butler, Halliday Wine Companion

A highly expressive Dolcetto filled with red plum, blackberry and concentrated blueberry, supported by liquorice, fennel, cola and graphite. Fine but persistent tannins provide excellent shape and make this an especially appealing wine for the table.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Bright ruby red with youthful purple hues.
• Aromatics: Dark cherry, red plum, blackberry and blueberry are lifted by anise, liquorice and sliced fennel.
• Palate: Juicy and medium-bodied, with generous dark and red fruit flowing across the palate.
• Savoury character: Almond, graphite, dried herbs and subtle whole-bunch spice add detail beneath the fruit.
• Structure: Fine, dispersed tannins provide gentle grip and definition without making the wine feel heavy.
• Finish: Supple and savoury, with lingering blackberry, cherry, anise and almond.

Wine Details

• Vintage: 2023
• Variety: 100% Dolcetto
• Region: Geographe, Western Australia
• Vineyard: Wildwater Vineyard
• Elevation: Approximately 230 metres
• Aspect: North-facing slope
• Soil: Ironstone gravel, sand and loam
• Harvested: 7 March 2023
• Fermentation: Natural fermentation
• Whole bunch: A proportion of whole bunches included
• Maturation: Older large-format oak
• Bottled: 27 November 2023
• Alcohol: 14.0%
• pH: 3.64
• Total acidity: 5.1 g/L
• Closure: Screw cap
• Vegan friendly: Yes
• Serving temperature: Approximately 12°C
• Cellaring: Best enjoyed now and over the next three to five years

What Is Dolcetto?

Dolcetto is a traditional red grape from Piedmont in north-western Italy.

Although its name can be translated as “little sweet one”, Dolcetto wines are normally dry. The name is more closely associated with the grape’s naturally appealing fruit and relatively soft, approachable character.

Dolcetto commonly produces flavours of cherry, plum, blackberry, liquorice and almond. It generally has less acidity than varieties such as Sangiovese or Nebbiolo, but its natural tannins give the wine enough structure to remain interesting with food.

In Piedmont, Dolcetto is traditionally considered an everyday red to enjoy while more powerful Nebbiolo wines mature. Vino Volta has taken that immediately enjoyable spirit and given it a distinctly Western Australian expression.

The Wildwater Vineyard

The Dolcetto comes from the Wildwater Vineyard in the Geographe wine region.

The vineyard sits approximately 230 metres above sea level on a north-facing slope. In the Southern Hemisphere, a north-facing aspect generally receives generous sunlight, helping the grapes develop ripe flavour and colour.

Its ironstone gravel, sand and loam soils provide a mixture of drainage and moisture retention. The gravel and sand allow excess water to move through the soil, while the loam can help support the vines through warmer periods.

This combination contributes to fruit with generous dark berry flavour, balanced by the freshness and structure needed to prevent the wine from becoming heavy.

Natural and Whole-Bunch Fermentation

The grapes were naturally fermented using the yeast present on the fruit and in the winery.

Natural fermentation can introduce a broader range of aromatic and savoury characters than a highly controlled fermentation using a selected commercial yeast. It helps explain the wine’s combination of vivid fruit, herbs, liquorice, almond and spice.

A proportion of the grapes was also fermented as whole bunches, with the berries remaining attached to their stems.

Whole-bunch fermentation can add perfume, freshness and gentle spice. It also contributes subtle tannin and structure, helping the wine remain vibrant and giving its generous fruit a more defined shape.

The technique has been carefully judged here. The wine remains driven by cherry, plum and blackberry rather than becoming dominated by stalky or herbal flavours.

Maturation in Older Large-Format Oak

After fermentation, the wine was matured in older large-format oak.

Older oak contributes considerably less obvious vanilla or toast than newly made barrels. Its purpose is primarily to allow the wine to mature gently, soften its tannins and bring its different flavours together.

The larger vessel also exposes less wine to the surface of the oak than a small barrel. This helps maintain the Dolcetto’s bright fruit and perfume while developing greater harmony and texture.

The result is a wine that tastes polished and complete without seeming noticeably oaky.

A Red Wine Made for Chilling

Love Sick Puppy is particularly enjoyable with a light chill.

Cooling the wine slightly highlights its cherry, plum and blackberry flavours while making the palate feel even more refreshing. It is ideal when the weather feels too warm for a heavier Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz.

Aim for approximately 12°C. If the bottle has been stored at normal room temperature, place it in the refrigerator for around 90 minutes before serving.

Avoid serving it icy cold. Very low temperatures can suppress its fruit and make the tannins feel firmer. If it has been in the refrigerator for several hours, allow it to sit out for approximately 10 minutes before pouring.

What Does “Il Dolce Far Niente” Mean?

Vino Volta uses the Italian phrase “il dolce far niente” when describing Love Sick Puppy.

It translates approximately as “the sweetness of doing nothing” or “the pleasure of doing nothing”. It describes the simple enjoyment of slowing down, relaxing and appreciating the moment without needing to be productive.

That philosophy suits the wine perfectly. Love Sick Puppy is not a heavy red that demands years in the cellar or lengthy decanting. It is a bright, generous and highly drinkable wine designed to be opened, shared and enjoyed.

Serving and Cellaring

Serve Vino Volta Love Sick Puppy Dolcetto at approximately 12 to 14°C.

The wine does not require extended decanting. Opening it 15 to 20 minutes before serving will allow its dark fruit, florals and savoury characters to become more expressive.

It is already drinking beautifully and has been made primarily for youthful enjoyment. Under suitable storage conditions, it should continue drinking well for approximately three to five years from vintage.

Over time, the fresh cherry, plum and blackberry characters may gradually develop into dried fruit, herbs, liquorice and more pronounced savoury complexity.

Food Pairing 

• Wood-fired pizza: Particularly good with salami, mushroom, olives or roasted vegetables.
• Pasta with tomato-based sauces: Dolcetto’s dark fruit and savoury tannins complement tomato, herbs and aged cheese.
• Antipasto: Try it with cured meats, olives, marinated vegetables and firm cheeses.
• Grilled sausages: The wine’s fruit and spice work beautifully with pork, fennel or Italian-style sausages.
• Barbecued lamb: A light chill keeps the pairing fresh while the tannins balance the richness of the meat.
• Roast chicken: Particularly suited to chicken seasoned with rosemary, thyme, garlic or fennel.
• Mushroom dishes: Its almond, graphite and herbal characters complement mushroom risotto or grilled field mushrooms.
• Eggplant parmigiana: Juicy fruit balances the tomato sauce while the savoury finish works with roasted eggplant and cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dolcetto a sweet wine?

No. Despite its name, Dolcetto is normally made as a dry red wine.

Love Sick Puppy has generous cherry, plum, blackberry and blueberry flavours, but it does not taste sugary or dessert-like.

What does Dolcetto taste like?

Dolcetto commonly shows cherry, plum, blackberry, liquorice and almond.

This expression also has blueberry, fennel, anise, cola, graphite and subtle herbal complexity.

Is this a light-bodied red?

It is best described as medium-bodied.

The wine has plenty of fruit and flavour, but its supple tannins and lively style make it feel considerably lighter and more refreshing than a full-bodied Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Should Love Sick Puppy Dolcetto be chilled?

Yes. It is especially enjoyable with a light chill at approximately 12 to 14°C.

Place it in the refrigerator for around 30 minutes before serving. If it becomes too cold, allow it to warm in the glass so its fruit and perfume can reopen.

What does whole-bunch fermentation add?

Whole-bunch fermentation means that some grapes are fermented while still attached to their stems.

It can contribute perfume, freshness, spice and fine tannin. In this wine it adds complexity while allowing the dark cherry and blackberry fruit to remain dominant.

Does natural fermentation make it a natural wine?

Natural fermentation means the wine begins fermenting with naturally occurring yeast rather than a selected commercial strain.

The term does not necessarily mean the wine belongs to a formally defined “natural wine” category. In this case, the technique is used to build flavour and complexity while maintaining clean, expressive fruit.

Does it taste oaky?

No. The wine was matured in older large-format oak, which contributes very little obvious oak flavour.

The vessel helps soften and integrate the wine while preserving its cherry, plum, blackberry and herbal characters.

Is Dolcetto similar to Pinot Noir?

They are different varieties, but people who enjoy fruit-driven Pinot Noir may appreciate Dolcetto’s bright fruit and medium-bodied structure.

Dolcetto generally has darker fruit, more almond and liquorice character, and a slightly firmer tannin profile.

Can I drink it without chilling it?

Yes, although it will show best slightly cooler than normal room temperature.

If served too warm, the alcohol can become more noticeable and the wine may feel heavier. A brief chill gives the fruit greater freshness and definition.

How long can I cellar it?

Love Sick Puppy is primarily made for drinking young, when its fruit is at its brightest.

It should continue drinking well for approximately three to five years from vintage when stored somewhere cool, dark and temperature stable.

Is this wine vegan friendly?

Yes. Vino Volta identifies the 2023 Love Sick Puppy Dolcetto as vegan friendly.

 
 
 
 
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