2021 GD Vajra Barolo Albe 0,75lt
The 2021 Albe is a fantastic Barolo, starting with its alluring fragrance of red berries, dark spices, dog rose and a balsamic whiffs of camphor. The palate shows youthful tension tempered by succulent raspberries, orange peel, star anise and crushed mint framed in taut, fine-grained tannins. Made with Nebbiolo organically grown in high-altitude vineyards, it has bright acidity that keeps it energized.
95 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE
94 POINTS WINE ENTHUSIAST
94 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING
Albe is a blend of Barolo DOCG vineyards with exposures that range from south-south-east to south-west, at high elevation between 380 and 480 m above sea level. In 1971, Aldo Vajra, then still a university student, was one of the earliest to adopt organic farming in Piemonte. Vineyards have been nurtured, and soil preserved, by grassing and spontaneous cover crop for almost 50 years now.
They are sustainable and organic certified. With an incredible ratio of manual work per hectare, farming at Vajra is a labor of love and “recipe-free” attention. Intense research is also placed into monitoring and improving the biodiversity of both flora and fauna not just in the vineyards, but also in the winery fields and forests.
The Vajra family is based in the small village of Vergne, which sits above the town of Barolo on the westernmost edge of the denomination. They have 10 hectares of Barolo vineyard planted along this western part of the zone, the prime site being Bricco delle Viole, which sits at over 400 metres above sea level. The elevation and westerly orientation make this vineyard an exceptional cru, as it benefits from the cool breezes that flow from the mountains to the west, as well as from morning and evening sun. The style of wine from this site, scented yet ripe, supple yet with great ageing potential, sets the template for the rest of the Vajra wines.
The 2021 Albe is a fantastic Barolo, starting with its alluring fragrance of red berries, dark spices, dog rose and a balsamic whiffs of camphor. The palate shows youthful tension tempered by succulent raspberries, orange peel, star anise and crushed mint framed in taut, fine-grained tannins. Made with Nebbiolo organically grown in high-altitude vineyards, it has bright acidity that keeps it energized.
95 POINTS WINE ADVOCATE
94 POINTS WINE ENTHUSIAST
94 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING
Albe is a blend of Barolo DOCG vineyards with exposures that range from south-south-east to south-west, at high elevation between 380 and 480 m above sea level. In 1971, Aldo Vajra, then still a university student, was one of the earliest to adopt organic farming in Piemonte. Vineyards have been nurtured, and soil preserved, by grassing and spontaneous cover crop for almost 50 years now.
They are sustainable and organic certified. With an incredible ratio of manual work per hectare, farming at Vajra is a labor of love and “recipe-free” attention. Intense research is also placed into monitoring and improving the biodiversity of both flora and fauna not just in the vineyards, but also in the winery fields and forests.
The Vajra family is based in the small village of Vergne, which sits above the town of Barolo on the westernmost edge of the denomination. They have 10 hectares of Barolo vineyard planted along this western part of the zone, the prime site being Bricco delle Viole, which sits at over 400 metres above sea level. The elevation and westerly orientation make this vineyard an exceptional cru, as it benefits from the cool breezes that flow from the mountains to the west, as well as from morning and evening sun. The style of wine from this site, scented yet ripe, supple yet with great ageing potential, sets the template for the rest of the Vajra wines.