GD Vajra 2018 Barolos: ‘Blown away’ – Vinous
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Piedmont’s GD Vajra is?‘one of the most exciting estates to watch today’, proclaims the Wine Advocate. The winery has been operating for two centuries and is among our happiest discoveries in recent years.?‘The Vajra family does a fabulous job with all their wines,’?wrote Antonio Galloni of Vinous after tasting their 2018s.
GD Vajra’s four Barolos from the lighter and more classical 2018 vintage show the family’s brilliance and dedication to their craft. 2018 Barolo Albe is?‘a gorgeous wine and go-to on any restaurant list’, says Galloni. It?‘consistently delivers one of the greatest values to be found in Italian wine’?(Wine Advocate). The 2018 Barolo Coste di Rose is intensely aromatic – a?‘delicate, understated Barolo’?(Galloni).
Their famous 2018 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is ethereal as ever. Graceful and taut, Galloni calls it?‘finely cut and chiseled’. For their most powerful Barolo, look to the 2018 Barolo Ravera. Deeply mineral and smoky with a dark core and towering tannins, this wine seems to defy the idea of a lighter vintage.
The Vajras are one of the oldest and nicest families in Piedmont. A 15-year-old Aldo Vaira was inspired by Barolo when he came to work on the family farm in 1968, and he never left. To this day the whole family is involved.
Interest in Barolo has never been higher. Piedmont’s reputation is still on the up – as are their prices – so climb in while you can!
Tasting Notes:
‘Lovely Nebbiolo aromas of rose, violet, red berry and botanical herb shape the fragrant nose. Smooth and savory, the elegant palate features juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry and cake spice alongside polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. It’s already drinking beautifully but also promises years of pleasure.’?–?Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 94/100
‘This wine consistently delivers one of the greatest values to be found in Italian wine. The G.D. Vajra 2018 Barolo Albe has all its cards in play as an immediately enjoyable and extremely food-friendly Nebbiolo. This really is the top of the category in that sense. With straightforward winemaking (fermentation is in steel and aging in large Slavonian oak casks), the wine offers bold cherry, wild plum and plenty of fragrant blue flower and violet. This vintage has the added benefit of softly textured richness.’?–?Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, 93+/100
‘With fruit from above the village of Barolo, the G.D. Vajra 2018 Barolo Coste di Rose shows a large aromatic scope and ample substance. This vineyard is characterized by very high density Diano sandstone (typical of the area), which explains the wine’s bigger sensorial impact. Its texture is velvety and smooth, and the wine offers lots of purple and red fruits with soft earth and perfumed flower.’?–?Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, 94/100
‘Heady aromas of violet, camphor, leather and tobacco lead the way on this fragrant red. On the palate, tightly knit, fine-grained tannins accompany ripe Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry and licorice. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced.’?–?Roger Voss, Cellar Selection, Wine Enthusiast, 95/100
‘Seamlessly stitched together, the G.D. Vajra 2018 Barolo Ravera reveals tight layering and smooth texture. Fruit comes from an amphitheater of vines with Tortoniana epoch sandstone clay that is typical of parts of Barolo and Novello. What stands out here is the mineral character of the wine. It frames a dark core of plum, dark cherry and soft spice.’?–?Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, 94/100