2022 Elio Ottin Pinot Noir DOP, Valle d’Aosta

Elio Ottin Pinot Noir from the Valle d’Aosta is a beautifully lifted, alpine red that shows just how refined and expressive Pinot can be when grown at high altitude in Italy’s far northwest. With vineyards sitting between 600 and 750 metres above sea level on steep, rocky slopes, this is a Pinot Noir shaped by cool mountain air, long daylight hours, and ancient glacial soils. It’s delicate, savoury and fresh, yet with a quiet core of intensity that makes it much more than just a curiosity from the Alps.

Fermentation is in stainless steel with gentle extraction to preserve aromatics and finesse. The wine is then matured in a mix of older oak barrels and stainless steel, depending on the vintage, ensuring that the purity of fruit and terroir expression always takes precedence over oak influence.

The nose offers redcurrant, wild strawberry, rose petal, dried herbs and a flicker of forest floor. The palate is light to medium bodied, with crunchy red cherry, pomegranate, subtle spice and minerality running through a taut, finely structured finish. Tannins are ultra-fine, and the acidity is bright and cleansing, giving the wine real clarity and lift.

Food pairing: pairs effortlessly with duck breast, herbed chicken, mushroom risotto, charcuterie or aged cheeses. Also excellent with truffle pasta or salmon dishes.

Cellar potential: beautiful now with a short decant, but will evolve over the next 6 to 8 years, developing more savoury, earthy depth and alpine spice.