2022 G.D. Vajra “Bricco delle Viole” Barolo
The undisputed flagship. Situated at one of the highest elevations in the entire Barolo zone, it effortlessly defies the warmth
Producer
G.D. Vajra
I have reviewed four wines from G.D. Vajra, from the 2016 to 2022 vintages, all from Barolo. All are Nebbiolo. Scores range from 94 to 98, averaging 96; the highest is the 2016 G.D. Vajra Bricco Delle Viole Barolo (98 points). G.D. Vajra also features in one journal article on this site.
G.D. Vajra is one of the most beloved estates in Barolo, run by the warm and hospitable Vaira family: Aldo and Milena and their children Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro. Based at Vergne in the high reaches of the commune of Barolo, its vineyards sit at elevations that bring late ripening and high acidity, giving wines of aromatic lift and elegance, more floral than muscular.
Bricco delle Viole is the undisputed flagship, from one of the highest and oldest vineyards in the village of Barolo, where cool breezes and late ripening shape its signature perfume of pressed violets, wild rose and red cherry. It defies warm vintages effortlessly, and the 2016 is one of the most poetic wines of that legendary year. Ravera, from the commune of Novello, shows the muscular side of the estate, structured and savory with dark iron minerality. Coste di Rose, from a steep, sandy vineyard, is the most immediate and fragrant of the three, and the village Albe remains a benchmark for purity.
The family also championed Riesling in the Langhe, and its Pétracine is one of Italy’s finest white wines.
2022 G.D. Vajra “Ravera” Barolo
Hailing from the Novello commune, this cru showcases the more muscular side of the estate. It is intensely structured and
2022 G.D. Vajra “Coste Di Rose” Barolo
Sourced from a steep, sandy vineyard, this is the most immediate and fragrant of the trio. It delivers explosive notes
2021 Barolo – Vintage Report
After a series of warmer, solar vintages, 2021 marks a majestic return to the “Alpine” soul of Nebbiolo. Defined by a long, snowy winter and a perfectly paced autumn, this is a vintage of noble austerity and breathtaking precision. These are not the open-knit wines of 2020; they are tension-filled, vertical, and built for the long haul. With “crunchy” red fruit, savory minerality, and a spine of vibrant acidity, 2021 is being hailed as the most complete and “classic” vintage since 2016—a year where the distinct terroir of each commune is rendered in high definition.
2016 G.D. Vajra Bricco Delle Viole Barolo
The 2016 G.D. Vajra “Bricco delle Viole” Barolo is one of the most poetic and profound wines of this legendary