If you want proof that Dolcetto is not 'the Beaujolais of Italy,' pour yourself a glass of Anna Maria Abbona's Maioli, which is 100% Dolcetto. The wine is violet-tinged deep purple, a very inviting color; it smells of violets, Assam tealeaves, and blueberries; and it is a mouth-filling, deep, substantial wine to drink. 'Una bomba,' as they say in Italy, and an excellent food wine; it goes with many red meat dishes, grilled sausages, cheese... The fruit comes from very old vines planted in the '30s by Anna Maria's uncle. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel.