Coravin. Light-medium ruby with the slight bricking of young Nebbiolo; high intensity aromatics with red cherry, sweet roses, spices, I hesitate to use the word candied, but the fruit has a very attractive sappiness without overripeness, complex nose; palate is light bodied, red cherry, black cherry, high acidity, alcohol is amazingly balanced and shows it (14% in a vintage where some producers are hitting 16%); finish is medium length. I'm very impressed by the balance on this, and while it's maybe not as complex as the Bricco della Viole, it's plenty complex and for ~$70 not that much more than entry level Barolo from some top producers (Burlotto, etc). I was initially wondering whether I should have skipped this bottling and just bought Bricco and Ravera, but I'm glad I have a few of these for earlier drinking. Probably the best drinking young barolo I've had so far this year. 93+ Comparing to the 2016 Vajra Bricco: While the Bricco is quite light, almost alto piemonte styled, the Coste di Rose is more classical Barolo (though not quite as dense as I remember the Ravera style), keeping in mind that all are Vajra-styled (much more elegant than the typical Barolo).
Coravin. Light ruby, minimal bricking; aromatic nose with sour cherry, slight menthol, a bit closed straight out of the bottle; palate is light bodied, tannins elegant and present but not harsh, higher alcohol than the Coste di Rose (14.5%) but well balanced, high acidity, red fruited with cherry; finish is long. Overall this seems like it has more depth and complexity than the Coste di Rose, but it's more coiled straight out of the bottle. 1 hour decanted: The aromatics on this have really improved and are an intense and complex blend of floral, spice, cinnamon, red fruited; palate is largely the same with a bit more fruit showing; finish is still quite long. Tons of potential here, drinking well now but my other bottles will wait 5-10 years. 94-95++ 3 hours in: this closes down a bit. Definitely will need some time to get through this period. I don’t think this drinks as well overall right now as some more basic bottlings.
2016 G.D. Vajra Barolo Coste di Rose 93 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Coravin. Light-medium ruby with the slight bricking of young Nebbiolo; high intensity aromatics with red cherry, sweet roses, spices, I hesitate to use the word candied, but the fruit has a very attractive sappiness without overripeness, complex nose; palate is light bodied, red cherry, black cherry, high acidity, alcohol is amazingly balanced and shows it (14% in a vintage where some producers are hitting 16%); finish is medium length. I'm very impressed by the balance on this, and while it's maybe not as complex as the Bricco della Viole, it's plenty complex and for ~$70 not that much more than entry level Barolo from some top producers (Burlotto, etc). I was initially wondering whether I should have skipped this bottling and just bought Bricco and Ravera, but I'm glad I have a few of these for earlier drinking. Probably the best drinking young barolo I've had so far this year. 93+
Comparing to the 2016 Vajra Bricco: While the Bricco is quite light, almost alto piemonte styled, the Coste di Rose is more classical Barolo (though not quite as dense as I remember the Ravera style), keeping in mind that all are Vajra-styled (much more elegant than the typical Barolo).
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2016 G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole 94 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Coravin. Light ruby, minimal bricking; aromatic nose with sour cherry, slight menthol, a bit closed straight out of the bottle; palate is light bodied, tannins elegant and present but not harsh, higher alcohol than the Coste di Rose (14.5%) but well balanced, high acidity, red fruited with cherry; finish is long. Overall this seems like it has more depth and complexity than the Coste di Rose, but it's more coiled straight out of the bottle.
1 hour decanted: The aromatics on this have really improved and are an intense and complex blend of floral, spice, cinnamon, red fruited; palate is largely the same with a bit more fruit showing; finish is still quite long. Tons of potential here, drinking well now but my other bottles will wait 5-10 years. 94-95++
3 hours in: this closes down a bit. Definitely will need some time to get through this period. I don’t think this drinks as well overall right now as some more basic bottlings.
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