The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Lombardy

DOCStill huntingNear impossible

Botticino DOC

A tiny DOC on the limestone hills that supply Botticino marble, making a medium-bodied red blend of Barbera, Marzemino, Sangiovese and Schiava. It's savory rather than fruity: sour cherry, dried plum, tobacco, leather and a bright Barbera acidity with moderate, dusty tannin. Riserva versions see some oak and can age a decade. Fewer than ten producers bottle it, and almost all of it is drunk around Brescia.

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Noventa
Botticino Gobbio
The DOC's leading estate, organic old vines on limestone; sour cherry, tobacco, leather, dusty tannin.
$25 to $35Wine-Searcher
Noventa
Botticino Pià della Tesa
Long-aged top cuvée with dried plum, balsamic notes and more grip; essentially Italy-only.
$35 to $50Wine-Searcher
Franzoni
Botticino Riserva
Family estate; oak-aged blend with cherry, spice and firmer structure, buy in Brescia.
$20 to $30Wine-Searcher