Vajra Barolo Albe 2020
Vajra Barolo Albe 2020
Vajra Barolo Albe 2020
$34.99 on 6+ (code: 6saves2)
$36.99 reg
#9 Wine of the Year - Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines
94 pts Wine Spectator
Aldo Vaira took control of the family vineyards in 1968, when he was just 15 years old. Today, G.D. Vajra is one of the Piedmont region’s most recognized estates and comprises 150 acres, mostly around the commune of Barolo. Aldo and his wife, Milena, are joined by their children, Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro. Though there are three Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive (MGA) bottlings at the top of Vajra’s range, it’s Barolo Albe that best represents the winery’s elegant, high-elevation style, delivering consistent quality for an attractive price. Sourced from parcels ranging from 1,250 to 1,585 feet in elevation, the various lots macerated for one to three months, then aged 26 months in 4,000-, 5,000- and 7,500-liter Slavonian oak casks.
94 pts Wine Advocate
You can't beat this value. The G.D. Vajra 2020 Barolo Albe is buttoned up with fresh primary fruit, and the wine does not have that hint of over-ripeness that is found across this vintage. The fruit is dark and savory, and there is a big mineral component to match, but the bouquet is nicely redolent of dark currant, plum, granite and a raspy dry note that brings crushed shale to mind. The tannins are quite impactful, and they give this wine extra runway for moderate bottle aging.
Albe has to rank as the greatest value in Barolo under $40. A wine you can age or drink now, this is a beautiful expression of accessibly priced great Barolo
The Story of Albe
A tribute to the masters of our tradition (blending of sites), Albe is the sum of high elevation estate vineyards. They lay on different slopes, thus our chance to see three sunrises (Albe) every day. Albe is a blend of wonderful Barolo vineyards with exposures that range from south-south-east to south-west, at high elevation between 380 and 480m above sea level.
Traditionally made:
The high-elevation vineyards for Barolo Albe are usually picked in the second half of Nebbiolo harvest. Vinification is made in custom-designed vertical tini, with gentle punch down and rinsing of the cap. Maceration lasts 25 days on average. Malolactic in held in stainless steel, the following spring. Albe rests between 26 and 32 months, on average, in large Slavonian oak casks of 40, 50 and 75hL. The wine is usually raked once a year. Blending is decided in the spring prior to bottling.
There’s plenty to like in these new releases from the Vajra family. Starting with the 2020 Barolos, the wines are gracious and finely sketched, with the personality of each wine clearly defined. The Bricco delle Viole is especially sublime and well worth seeking out. As always, the Barolos offer a compelling mix of classicism and contemporary finesse. The entry-level offerings are a bit mixed this year, largely a reflection of the challenging 2022 harvest. Readers will find several new wines made from nearly extinct varieties that show plenty of intrigue and that are sure to enrich this range going forward.
- By Antonio Galloni on November 2023
