2018 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Grape: Nebbiolo
Culinary Suggestions: Truffle/mushroom dishes, charcuterie or roasted meats
Vineyard Practice: Sustainable and Organic
Is It Vegan? Yes
About
G.D. Vajra - “a world of sublime hand-crafted, artisan wines of the very highest level”, as Antonio Galloni calls it - is run in the second generation by Giuseppe, Isidoro and Francesca Vaira, lovingly overseen by father Aldo and mother Milena. It was Aldo that founded G.D. Vajra, kicking off with a counter-cultural twist by returning to his ancestors’ land in the early ‘70s, when all else were deserting the countryside in droves. That spirit of tradition with an adaptive streak characterises this far-sighted outfit. Indeed, Aldo’s decision to embrace the rogue ‘j’ on the label – a print error that happens to hark back to the pre-1920s spelling of the family name – says a lot about the clan’s capacity to roll with it and nimbly fuse its roots with the future.
Over the years they’ve acquired coveted holdings in their home commune of Barolo as well as Novello, Sinio and Serralunga - this latter home to the stupendous wines they produce under their Luigi Baudana label.
The family excels with all the Piedmont staples – Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Moscato and the very rare Freisa, as well as Riesling that is far better than it has any right to be. Barolo Albe has made a name for itself as one of the best-value Barolos going, while Bricco delle Viole has cemented a reputation as one of the finest cru Barolo wines, period. At the more everyday level, there’s a wonderful Langhe Rosso, Langhe Nebbiolo and the highly original, intensely drinkable Claré J.C. – a wickedly bright, tank-raised, 25% whole-bunch, nouveau-style Nebb. - Importer Note
Tasting Notes
Bright red fruit, good perfume, a bit of mint, almond and new leather. Medium-Bodied, fresh, red cherry, tannin is good, a slight pippy and sappy character, though in a nice way, and a cool fresh finish of excellent length. Brightly lit. Lighter framed. So charming. Good to drink now, though it may very well surprise with bottle age.
93+ points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front July 2022
Drink: 2022 - 2030+
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.
93+ points - Monica Larner, August 2022
Drink: 2023 - 2037