Producer

Ottin

I have reviewed two wines from Ottin, all from the 2021 vintage, all from Valle d'Aosta. Scores range from 94 to 95, averaging 95; the highest is the 2021 Elio Ottin Pinot Noir Valle d’Aosta (95 points).

Elio Ottin is the face of modern viticulture in the Valle d’Aosta. He farms steep, terraced vineyards above the city of Aosta with organic principles, making wines that are mountain in every sense: tense, vertical and etched with acidity. He is a master of Petite Arvine, which he turns into a salty, textural and explosive white.

His Pinot Noir is equally renowned, a crunchy alpine expression that combines the elegance of Burgundy with the freshness of the mountains. The 2021 offers wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry with delicate floral and alpine herb notes, fine tannins, lively acidity and just enough minerality to recall its high origins.

Ottin is also devoted to Fumin, a native grape of the region. His version is bold and complex, with black fruit, wild cherry, smoked earth, herbs and spice, rich tannins and refreshing acidity, a structured red with a real sense of place, made for game, braised meat or aged cheese.