Aurelio Settimo Dolcetto 2021

Settimo is a producer that champions tradition over trends, and this Dolcetto is a testament to that steadfastness. This isn’t a wine trying to be a baby Barolo; it’s a wine that embraces its own identity. It’s raised entirely in stainless steel and concrete, a move that preserves the electric, high-toned energy of the fruit. In the glass, you get an intense, vibrant ruby hue that hints at the freshness to come.

It’s remarkably well-integrated, offering a juicy, fleshy core of red berries balanced by that classic, slightly bitter almond finish that we look for in top-tier Dolcetto.

What makes this bottle so compelling is its utility. This is the ultimate “spaghetti red”—the bottle you reach for on a Tuesday night for pizza, burgers, or a simple pasta pomodoro. It possesses enough structural integrity to feel serious, yet it’s so approachable that the bottle seems to vanish before the meal is halfway through.