G.D. Vajra is a producer we've stocked for many years. We love their knack for creating wines that are elegant yet approachable; ageworthy but still delicious young. And with Barolo coming off a run of stellar vintages, this is the time to get into Vajra.
The cru vineyard of Ravera nestles at the southwest corner of the Barolo growing region, continuing into adjoining Novello. The free-draining sand-clay soils are rich in iron, providing a just-fertile-enough footing for Nebbiolo vines to produce grapes of the highest quality.
At harvest, these grapes are hand-sorted three times - first as they come off the vine, next as whole bunches on the sorting table, finally as single berries after destemming. Only the very best are retained to be gently vinified in open vats over the course of nearly two months. The new wine is then matured in large Slavonian botte for 26-34 months before bottling.
So this is a wine nurtured at every stage of its creation, and the proof is in the glass. Heady aromas of blueberry and blackcurrant waft out, soon followed by mineral hints and a tang of orange zest. The palate is flooded with cassis and mulberries held up on a mineral structure and taut tannins. The finish is a crescendo of spice, pepper, herbal and exotic incense notes. And it will just keep growing, evolving and gaining complexity over time.