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This was our first time comparing Dolcetto in our blind tasting format, which is surprising, because these wines are easy to like, with an approachable style at attractive prices.

Marchesi di Barolo's Madonna del Dono bottling was represented twice, with the 2021 revealed as our night's winner, and the 2023 showing well, but not enough for a spot on the podium. Votes were spread out this evening, with a tie for second place, and the third-place wine not very far behind in points.

Thanks to Andy for helping with the photography.

First Place: Marchesi di Barolo Dolcetto d'Alba Madonna del Dono 2021. Darker in color, hinting at blue. Tasters found scents of violets, dried fruits, meat, iron, fruitcake, mushrooms, and a hint of warming spices. Mysterious and darker in profile. Earthy on the palate, suggesting mushrooms, along with flavors of maple syrup, eucalyptus, and pine resin. Complex, with nice texture. David, Kristin, and Ali's favorite wine of the night, with a total of 23 points. David's bottle. About $23.

Second Place (tie): Vietti Dolcetto d'Alba Trevìe 2024. Rather unusual nose that included both tomato stem, lychee, crushed red pepper scents. Somehow juicy tropical fruit notes kept emerging, but also seaweed, almond tart, candied orange peel, and dried oregano. More of those tropical fruit qualities in the mouth, but matched by a saline note, and some hints of earth and tomatoes. Ends with modest tannins. This wine totally threw us. If we were blindfolded, we might think this was a white. 19 points. Diana's bottle. About $22.

Second Place (tie): Ca' del Baio Dolcetto d'Alba Lodoli 2024. More transparent in color, leaning toward red or little bit of pink. Youthful nose, like baby powder, roses, new book, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Eager and exuberant. Presents as young and primary, with flavors of honeydew melon, bright cherries, and milk chocolate, then a saline finish. A happy vibe. 19 points. Kristin's bottle. About $19.

Third Place: Pio Cesare Dolcetto d'Alba 2022. A hint of brown color. A little funkier on the nose, like a dusty book or lumber yard. Suggested clean barn or animal bedding. Matt decided on "fresh cardboard." Sharp on the palette, with tart cranberry flavors, but had nice texture and flow, showing darker blueberry, black cherry, and wood shaving notes with air, then drip coffee on the finish. 17 points. Andy's bottle. About $30.

Marchesi di Barolo Dolcetto d'Alba Madonna del Dono 2023. Youthful ruby color. Bright and fresh nose, with tasters finding aromas of strawberries (with stems), dry stone, lemon zest, almonds, chalk, and dried oregano. Inviting, approachable, and pretty. In the mouth, it was like a bouquet of flowers with the stems, but also having dark fruit flavors like fig, plum, and black cherry. A little more tannic than expected, but with mouthwatering acidity and a saline note, ending with some brown sugar. 8 points. Matt's bottle. About $23.

G.D. Vajra Dolcetto d'Alba 2024. Hinting at purple in color. Perfumed, powdery nose that featured scents of bell pepper, almond extract, and medicine cabinet. Kristin was reminded of "old ladies at church." More of that medicinal note on the palate, this came off as somewhat unbalanced and lacking harmony. Iodine, wet cardboard, and olive juice notes. No points. Ali's bottle. About $20.