2019 G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco Delle Viole

To my mind Vajra is one of the greatest producers in Piedmont creating soulful wines year in and year out. Based in the village of Barolo, Vajra has been chaired by Aldo Vajra since 1968 when he took over the family property at the age of 15. He has maintained a remarkable balancing act between tradition and innovation that I greatly admire. The farm has been certified organic since 1971 (the first in the region) and has always worked in a traditional style: Long macerations with extended aging in big, neutral Slavonian botti.  G.D. Vajra Baroli simultaneously long lived and open knit most years and frankly are quite delicious.

Bricco delle Viole is a signature wine from the estate.  This MGA is the highest vineyard in the commune of Barolo rising up to 490 meters and the Vajra holdings occupy prime position facing south, south east from the crest running down about 120m.  The vines are some of the oldest in the region with planting dated back to 1949. Wine making is astutely classic: Hand-harvest, fermentation in stainless steel with long macerations (up to 45 days) and submerged cap (lasting 10-15 days).  Malolactic fermentation in steel is followed by 2.5-3 years in large Slavonian botti. The profile of Vajra's Bricco delle Viole always shows profoundly aromatic with fine knit tannin and bright, fresh acidity. Simply put this is routinely one of the most gorgeous Barolos each vintage and has the capacity to age for many decades in the best vintages. - Andy Paynter