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.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Piedmont | 3 | 91 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£409.24 |
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Vinous (91)The 2019 Barolo Albe is a nuanced, understated wine, but it is also a rare Albe that needs time in bottle. Sweet floral and spice notes open first, leading to an attractive core of Nebbiolo fruit. Gentle and understated, with lovely precision, the 2019 Albe is a hushed wine that is more about energy than size. I have seen the Albe really blossom with a few years in bottle. I expect that will be the case here as well given its super-classic feel. |
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Piedmont | 2 | 97+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£579.64 |
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Wine Advocate (97+)The last wine poured at my tasting at the winery is the G.D. Vajra 2019 Barolo Bricco delle Viole. With its high vantage point in the hills west of Barolo, Bricco delle Viole is a world apart in terms of soils (with Sant'Agata marl and fossils) and even harvest times. Slow and careful ripening like the kind that characterizes fruit in 2019 renders a very delicate and ethereal expression with floral tones, wild mint and licorice. This organic wine is solid in build and structure. Indeed, Isidoro Vaira remarks that Nebbiolo tannins have changed since the 1970s and 1980s. Because of climate change and stylistic preference, they are more polished and accessible today. |
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Piedmont | 5 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£567.89 |
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Vinous (93)The 2019 Barolo Coste di Rose is the most open of the vineyard designates, but is not the easygoing Barolo it has often been in the past. Bright acids and veins of supporting tannin give the 2019 its taut, rather nervous feel. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, spice flowers and earthy tones all develop with a bit of time in the glass. There is a bit of nervousness in the tannin that needs to soften, but all the elements are nicely balanced. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£445.24 |
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Vinous (96)The 2019 Barolo Ravera is redolent of red fruit, mint, chalk, white pepper and orange peel. A Barolo of tension and energy, the 2019 is intensely bright and saline to the core. I would not dream of touching a bottle anytime soon. This is an especially taut style, even for Vajra. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 89 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£130.84 |
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Vinous (89)Vajra's 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo is a jewel of a wine. Crushed red berry fruit, rose petal and spice lend complexity, but it is the wine's balance and sheer deliciousness that stands out most. This is beautifully done. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Piedmont | 3 | 91 (VN) |
In Bond
£325.00 |
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Vinous (91)The 2019 Barolo Albe is a nuanced, understated wine, but it is also a rare Albe that needs time in bottle. Sweet floral and spice notes open first, leading to an attractive core of Nebbiolo fruit. Gentle and understated, with lovely precision, the 2019 Albe is a hushed wine that is more about energy than size. I have seen the Albe really blossom with a few years in bottle. I expect that will be the case here as well given its super-classic feel. |
|||||||||
|
Piedmont | 2 | 97+ (WA) |
In Bond
£467.00 |
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Wine Advocate (97+)The last wine poured at my tasting at the winery is the G.D. Vajra 2019 Barolo Bricco delle Viole. With its high vantage point in the hills west of Barolo, Bricco delle Viole is a world apart in terms of soils (with Sant'Agata marl and fossils) and even harvest times. Slow and careful ripening like the kind that characterizes fruit in 2019 renders a very delicate and ethereal expression with floral tones, wild mint and licorice. This organic wine is solid in build and structure. Indeed, Isidoro Vaira remarks that Nebbiolo tannins have changed since the 1970s and 1980s. Because of climate change and stylistic preference, they are more polished and accessible today. |
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|
Piedmont | 5 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
£454.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2019 Barolo Coste di Rose is the most open of the vineyard designates, but is not the easygoing Barolo it has often been in the past. Bright acids and veins of supporting tannin give the 2019 its taut, rather nervous feel. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, spice flowers and earthy tones all develop with a bit of time in the glass. There is a bit of nervousness in the tannin that needs to soften, but all the elements are nicely balanced. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
£355.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2019 Barolo Ravera is redolent of red fruit, mint, chalk, white pepper and orange peel. A Barolo of tension and energy, the 2019 is intensely bright and saline to the core. I would not dream of touching a bottle anytime soon. This is an especially taut style, even for Vajra. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 89 (VN) |
In Bond
£93.00 |
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Vinous (89)Vajra's 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo is a jewel of a wine. Crushed red berry fruit, rose petal and spice lend complexity, but it is the wine's balance and sheer deliciousness that stands out most. This is beautifully done. |