G.D. Vajra
About G.D. Vajra
Founded in the 1960s by the Vaira family, their glorious estate is quite simply one of “Piedmont’s top echelon growers” according to Monica Larner (Wine Advocate). Their focus is on excellence throughout the range, crafting truly artisanal wines of stunning precision, subtle power and exceptional quality. Larner adds that it is “the wines that do the talking here, and they do that ever so eloquently”.
Viniculture
With vineyards in the westerly commune of Barolo, these wines are not powerful like those further east in Serrlunga or Monforte. They are, however, supremely elegant and fresh, with comparisons to Burgundy often made. Aldo Vajra heads up the estate and he follows traditional practices like long stints in big barrels but is not so stubborn not to adapt when it makes sense, like controlling the temperature of the fermentation. These are wines that are known for their beautiful and delicate perfumes, a real testament to the winemaking skills of Aldo.
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Jeb Dunnuck (96)
Aged for 28 months in cask, the bright ruby 2020 Barolo Coste Di Rose was a little more reserved at this tasting. It reveals a hint of blood orange citrus along with its notes of cola, ripe strawberries, and raspberries. Medium-bodied, it has finely tensioned tannins and a clean, mouthwatering finish. It’s a very pretty wine. Drink 2026-2046.$447.00 -
Vinous (95+)
Vajra's 2010 Barolo is striking. Freshly cut flowers, mint, crushed rocks, pine and aromatic spices all take shape in the 2010 Barolo Ravera. Vibrant and pulsating to the core, the 2010 impresses for its pure tension. Freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet spices add lift, but ultimately the 2010 is a dark, brooding Barolo that is going to require cellaring. There is so much to like here.$561.00 -
Vinous (96)
One of the real knock-out wines of the vintage. Vajra's 2012 Barolo Ravera possesses striking aromatics, vivid, finely sculpted fruit and exceptional balance. Dark red and purplish-hued fruits, lavender, rose petal, mint and hard candy are pushed forward in a sweet, impeccable Barolo that satisfies all the senses. Deep, exquisitely layered and powerful, the 2012 Ravera is shaping up to be a real gem. This is a Barolo to revel in. Next to the Bricco Viole, the Ravera has a bit more mid-palate creaminess and overall depth.$408.00 -
Vinous (95+)
The 2013 Barolo Ravera is tightly wound and austere, with tons of its energy in reserve. Lavender, violet, plum, spice and menthol are beautifully delineated throughout. In some vintages Ravera is explosive, but the 2013 is very much closed in on itself. Attractive scents of rose petal, mint, sweet red berries and chalk infuse the taut, salivating finish. My instincts say this is going to be a very special wine one day.$394.00 -
Jancis Robinson (17)
Novello. Tasted blind. Surprisingly dark ruby for this vintage. Brooding richness on the nose. Plenty of sour cherry on the palate and firm, somewhat drying tannins. This is still very youthful, and unsettled.$348.00 -
(6x75cl) 2015
Vinous (95)
The 2015 Barolo Ravera captures all the best the vintage has to offer. More importantly, it has that extra level of textural richness and sweetness that the Bricco delle Viole does not have, at least not today. Creamy and beautifully textured in the glass, the 2015 is a total winner. Bright red raspberry and pomegranate fruit notes are lifted, while expressive floral and blood orange overtones add brightness. The 2015 suggests that the Ravera might, in time, become the flagship wine here. Don't miss it!$378.00 -
Wine Spectator (97)
Alluring aromas of cherry, rose and graphite settle into a core of cherry and strawberry fruit, with nuances of iron, tobacco and tar. Sleek, yet intense and complex, unfolding effortlessly through the long finish. Best from 2023 through 2047. 500 cases made.$417.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (97)
From the township of Novello and from what is now widely recognized as one of the denomination's top vineyard sites, this is just stunning, offering intense aromas of wild berries, new leather, floral notes, camphor and grilled herb. The delicious, structured palate shows finesse and power, featuring ripe red cherry, blood orange, cedar, licorice and mineral notes suggesting tangy iron. Noble tannins provide support. Reflecting the vintage, this won't need years to come around but will also age well for at least another decade.$346.00 -
(6x75cl) 2018Vinous (93)
The 2018 Barolo Ravera is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Gravel, smoke, cured meats, spice, leather, tobacco and menthol emerge, but only with quite a bit of reticence. This deceptively mid-weight Barolo has a good bit of brawn. It will be interesting to see if the fruit emerges from behind the tannins.$400.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The organic G.D. Vajra 2019 Barolo Ravera (with fruit from the most sought-after cru in the village of Novello) reveals gorgeous tonality and color. The wine shines bright with dark ruby and garnet gemstone. Healthy Nebbiolo colors like this can be admired across the 2019 vintage. Ravera represents a union of different geologies from Barolo and Castiglione Falletto. The site has shown extraordinary versatility, especially in the face of climate change, to make wines of both strength and elegance. It is softly textured but also strong in fiber, with silky sensations followed by dark fruit and concentration. Ravera has a character all its own, and the operative word here is power.$400.00 -
(12x75cl) 2020Jeb Dunnuck (96)
Bright ruby-colored, the 2020 Barolo Ravera is fresh and fruity with notes of cherry candies, lilacs, darker spice (almost anise, but sweeter), and sweet sage, but it’s all well-integrated. Medium-bodied on the palate, it takes on more depth and richness, with a velvety, iron-rich texture that Giuseppe Vajra believes can be attributed to the microclimate of the vineyard, where nights are cooler and the lower parts of the vineyard are warmer. Drink 2026-2046.$1,060.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (96)
Bright ruby-colored, the 2020 Barolo Ravera is fresh and fruity with notes of cherry candies, lilacs, darker spice (almost anise, but sweeter), and sweet sage, but it’s all well-integrated. Medium-bodied on the palate, it takes on more depth and richness, with a velvety, iron-rich texture that Giuseppe Vajra believes can be attributed to the microclimate of the vineyard, where nights are cooler and the lower parts of the vineyard are warmer. Drink 2026-2046.$505.00 -
Vinous (94+)
The 2016 Langhe Freisa Kyé is a gorgeous wine, but it is going to need at least a few years in bottle to be at its very best. Scorched earth, smoke, tobacco, grilled herbs and black pepper give the Kyé its distinctive brooding personality. As always, the Kyé is a powerful, deep wine, but, as in recent years, the style is a bit more restrained than the more explosive wines in the past. The Kyé emerges from a parcel in the Vajra family's Bricco delle Viole home vineyard.$169.00
