In Italy’s famous region of Piedmont, the locals and winemakers drink a charming red called Dolcetto. Dark-fruited and juicy with a slightly tannic grip, the variety produces vibrant, versatile wines that offer amazing value.
Today we bring you the very special Coste & Fossati 2023 from GD Vajra – a next-level Dolcetto from two hilltop single-vineyards. Here, old clones have been hand-grafted into old Barolo vineyards, resulting in a wine with more muscle and heft. This is sure to be the star of the show at any dinner party.
The Vajra family uses super classical vinification with submerged cap for this Dolcetto. Superbly layered, complex and precise, it shows violets, blackberries, iron, sage and plum with lightly lingering tannins.
Dolcetto is a staple of Piemontese wine life and GD Vajra offers the region’s ‘most interesting portfolio of wines’, writes the Wine Advocate.
‘Every wine is spot on,’ adds Vinous. ‘From the Dolcettos all the way up to the top Barolos… The number of estates that operate on this level is pretty small.’
Tasting Notes:
GD Vajra Dolcetto d’Alba Coste & Fossati 2023
‘The 2023 Dolcetto d’Alba, Coste & Fossati Vajra’s top Dolcetto, takes varietal notes and amplifies them, adding notable mid-palate richness and body, partly through a super-classic vinification that includes submerged cap maceration. Iron, dried flowers, mint, plum, sage and tobacco build as this deep, layered Dolcetto shows off its pedigree. I love its dynamic energy and overall complexity.’ – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 92/100
‘A peppery dolcetto with blackberries, violets and a touch of asphalt. The palate reveals rich yet tightly wound dark fruit, with precise tannins and a concise finish.’ – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 92/100
