Brezza is in its fourth generation, a well established Barolo house with properties all across the Barolo denomination and the larger Alba region. It is refreshing – literally in the case of this great value Dolcetto – that the family has stood by three founding principles since 1910. Organic farming, long and slow and cool macerations at harvest, and aging in neutral mediums like large old barrels, concrete, or steel. This particular wine never touched an oak barrel, and captured every ounce of the 2021 vintage’s sappy freshness. Over the course of seven cold days on the skins, it developed a core of firm yet elegant tannins and dewey fresh black cherry aromas, accented with marly clay soil, sage, and oregano. This is a Dolcetto from an older time, quaffable and fresh, but still possessing complex notes on the palate – a little tea leaf here, cracked pepper there, and a finish that lingers with elements of red berries and dried herbs. For best results pair this wine with pizza that has mushrooms on it.