2015 Cozzo Mario Madonna Delle Grazie

Under-$15 Dolcetto: The Butcher’s Cut of Italian Reds

In a small region in and around the village of Dogliani, just 8 miles south of Barolo, Dolcetto continues to rule the roost, as it has for over 600 years. The black grape — roughly translated as “little sweet one” — occupies the most precious slopes, prized over even Nebbiolo. Peek through the window of a typical Langhe household on a weeknight and the bottle you’ll see on the table next to the bagna cauda and rabbit will invariably be a local Dolcetto.

The soils on these rolling Dogliani hillsides, thought to produce the best Dolcetto in the world, are comprised of clay and calcareous marl, strewn with chunks of white limestone. Particularly on southeastern slopes, and in the hands of the most brilliant cellar-masters, Dolcetto di Dogliani makes for rich, juicy, brilliantly concentrated reds of remarkable structure and silky-soft tannins.

Best of all, compared to high-priced Barolos and Barbarescos, superb Dolcettos — like today’s offer — can be had for staggering bargains.

In Piedmont’s stellar 2015 vintage, there was little debate about where the best Dolcetto deal hailed from. Pulled off the hillsides of the Madonna Delle Grazie vineyards, perched at 1,600 feet above sea level, Cozzo Mario’s fruit enjoys a perfect south-southwest exposure. The soils here are much like the Côte de Nuits — a classical mix of clay and limestone — explaining the beautiful mineral pitch and aromatic complexity of the wine. Cozzo Mario isn’t afraid to take risks with the vines, not only dropping fruit, but harvesting later than neighbors, pushing the envelope on maturity. In 2015 — already being favorably compared to the classic 2010 vintage in Piedmont — the sunny and well-hydrated growing season made for small but strikingly concentrated bunches.

The 2015 Cozzo Mario Dolcetto Madonna Delle Grazie is ruby red in hue. Beautifully fragrant, exuding dark cherries and red fruit aromatics, laced with lavender. The attack is “perfect” — rich, juicy, with the borderline jammy flavors that came with waiting out the 2015 harvest. The finish is wonderfully Italian without being overly so.  Fresh, vibrant, and firm, yet still round and almost plump.  

The butcher’s cut of Italian reds. Rich, palate-coating, and pairing effortlessly with whatever you’re cooking tonight. A razor-sharp $13.99 for Dogliani perfection. Shipping included on 6.

• ABV 13.00%
• Enjoy right away
• % Dolcetto