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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.8 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 96 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by chablis28 on 12/2/2023 & rated 97 points: '08 is turning out to be a monumental vintage for Vajra's BdV and utterly captivating! As one of my fav CT tasters ,acyso noted in May, " It's hard to justify letting this rest in the cellar". That hits the nails on the head for me too? Yes, it likely adds further nuance w/addl cellar time but dam, this is so beautiful right now! Perfectly ripe red fruit bursting with freshness. There is density and reverbing length but no sense of needless weight. The nose is loaded with roses, berries and hints of pipe tobacco. Such a pleasure to languidly sniff & sip in a Burg glass over a couple hours prior to dinner w/a Preston & Child Special Agent Pendergast novel by the fireplace. Decanted 3pm, sips in our Burg glasses till dinner at 6pm. 14% alc goes unnoticed. One of my top wines of 2023. If you're unsure about cellaring much or any Barolo you can't go wrong with a vertical if Vajra Bric de Viola. Unlike many Barolo it drinks well throughout its drinking window in nearly any vintage. (1732 views) | | | Tasted by ohne_musik on 8/25/2023 & rated 94 points: Barolo Dinner (Mathilde Bistro - SF): My favorite Vajra of the night. Great to see the kinship of the 08/12/13. The 08 is the most open-knit, demonstrative, and even seductive of the lot. Beautiful red fruit that sings in a quiet voice. Textbook tar and roses on all the Vajras, with the Bricco delle Viole more emphatic on the floral side, and the Ravera more emphatic on the tar side. Lovely, classical in profile, with good persistence and friendly tannins. I would love to see this with another 5 years on it - it's just missing a bit of the extra complexity that I love in aged nebbiolo. 94+ (1825 views) | | | Tasted by Richard P Howden on 8/25/2023 & rated 95 points: Opening up beautifully. More detail to follow. (1584 views) | | | Tasted by aagrawal on 8/25/2023 & rated 96 points: Barolo Dinner (Mathilde, San Francisco): Fabulous aromatics, roses, floral, red fruited; impeccable balance, richly textured, while also maintaining lightness, red fruited, floral, fabulous; long finish. This is exceptional. 96 (1802 views) | | | Tasted by Nanda on 5/21/2023 & rated 95 points: Winemaker dinner with Giuseppe Vaira (RPM Steak - Chicago, IL): 07/08/09. First vintage fully from Giuseppe. Man this has everything and all of it in the right proportions. Amazingly, pure and energetic red and black cherry with abundant spice and floral complexity. Crystalline purity of fruit with silky tannins that provide textural complexity. Young, but in the zone. Outstanding. (2378 views) | | | Tasted by acyso on 5/21/2023 & rated 95 points: "Only for Sundays" (Chicago, IL): Pretty much my platonic ideal of a bottle of nebbiolo. Clean without any muddled notes, red fruit that's ripe but with plenty of acid, silky tannins, fruit- and floral perfume. This has it all. It still drinks a little primary right now, but that's not hiding the fact that this is a fantastic expression of nebbiolo already. It's hard to justify letting this rest in the cellar. (2963 views) | | | Tasted by ogres3 on 5/8/2023 & rated 92 points: Plum color. Nose old world. Muted integrated fruit meant to pair with food. (1686 views) | | | Tasted by bubbachumps on 5/6/2023 & rated 94 points: Consistent with my prior notes. Plenty of life still ahead, not much bricking in color. Very much in its drinking window. Delicious! (1676 views) | | | Tasted by olemski on 11/13/2022 & rated 87 points: Clear and light in colour. On the nose there's sweet red fruit of no clear provenance, with merely a hint of tobacco that may take you to Langhe. The theme in the wine is balance and harmony. There's really nothing that grates or stands out. Fully integrated and without the usual grating tannins, searing acidity or rough aromatics of younger Nebbiolo. Just harmony in a glass. (The points tell you that the wine is somewhere between very good and excellent. It would have been more clearly excellent if it had more of an edge and a forceful identity, but it was lovely with steak and roast potatoes on Norwegian Fathers' Day.) (1939 views) | | | Tasted by bonedoc on 6/24/2022 & rated 95 points: decanted and drank over 2 hours w/ sausage pasta w/ truffles.
red cherry, flowers, herbs, and hints of tobacco. a lovely wine.... (2371 views) | | | Tasted by Diane (LI) on 4/3/2022: Classic Barolo smack dab in its drinking window. Elegant, floral, with good structure and good fruit. (2755 views) | | | Tasted by chablis28 on 1/31/2022 & rated 94 points: This is in its drinking window & outstanding! No rush though. Plenty of life left and possibly some upside. I gave this a 4hr slow ox in my slightly larger version of the Burg shape and that worked very well. 94+ I've got 3 more and plan to open my next 2025+ Love Vajra BdV! (3021 views) | | | Tasted by Motz on 9/23/2021 flawed bottle: Advanced. Showing both oxidative and vinegar-like elements. Disappointing. (4361 views) | | | Tasted by olemski on 5/1/2021 & rated 92 points: Classic Barolo with rose, leather and cherries on the nose. In the mouth there's a clear note of liquorice at the end of the tasting curve. The style is restrained yet powerful, and it was absolutely a great choice with duck in blackcurrant sauce and risotto. I do wish I bought more of these wines in less than superlative vintages. They often turn out to be the best wines with food, and they do come around while the owner may still be alive. (3337 views) | | | Tasted by dbkitc on 4/16/2021 & rated 95 points: Lovely. Garnet. Pretty nose with a strong berry fruit core supported by secondary notes of meat, vanilla bean and licorice. Lovely style, silky fruit. A winner. (95) (3226 views) | | | Tasted by Richard P Howden on 4/14/2021 & rated 92 points: After two disappointing mid-2000s Barolos, this one danced like a champ. Lovely mid-weight nose with floral, earthy and mineral notes (really exploding after a couple of hours) over a very lively fresh palate with mid-weight, good red fruit and a lot of energy. Good long finish. If anything this perhaps is a little tight. Next bottle not to be opened for at least a couple of years. A lot of potential for a much higher score. (3112 views) | | | Tasted by JonnyG on 3/22/2021 & rated 93 points: One Variety -- 3 Price-Points, Blind (Los Olivos, CA): Served blind in a flight of three of the same grape variety: one inexpensive, one, mid-range and one high-end. A slightly divisive wine, with some more troubled than I was by its piercing acidity. I loved the robust structure and intensity of the wine, and thought the lifted fruit represented the elevation of the vineyard quite well. There was a touch of bitterness on the finish. In any case, this will be fun to follow in the coming years. (3276 views) | | | Tasted by bonedoc on 12/21/2020 & rated 94 points: Drank w short ribs, no decant. Ripe red cherry, hints of orange peel, round, chewy mouthfeel. Nicely done. (2645 views) | | | Tasted by redders on 12/4/2020 & rated 92 points: Mid red. Very fragrant but intense nose. Richly floral. Intensity but with lightness of feet on palate . Fine finish with length. Lovely now but plenty of time to improve (2446 views) | | | Tasted by Finare Vinare on 11/20/2020 & rated 91 points: Surprisingly developed, with a whiff of camphor and dried funghi porcini to the fore. The palate offers healthy acidity and engaging tannins, but alas the nuances of flavour are more on the brown side - porcini, tar, leather, figs, prunes, cough syrup - than on red fruits. An off bottle? Didn't appear to be. (2957 views) | | | Tasted by RichardP on 8/26/2020 & rated 93 points: Roses, camphor, and a pleasant earthy note on the nose; on the palate, cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, with notes of orange peel and something between tea and earth, with moderate tannins and good acidity on the medium to long finish. This was smoother and longer on the second day, but not as complex and interesting. This was an excellent value at a little over $60. The Cellartracker drinking window looks about right. (3042 views) | | | Tasted by Nutty08 on 7/11/2020 & rated 93 points: Given A 3hr decant. This is showing some maturity with more tar and leather than fruit. Elegant but still quite structured. Holding the palate well into a long finish. Pretty strong tannins on the back end that showed better with food. (2941 views) | | | Tasted by rieslinghoarder on 3/27/2020 & rated 91 points: Double decanted and tasted in both a Grassl Cru and GGG glass for comparison. Decent nose of tart cherry, burnt orange peel, saddle leather, organic soil and a touch of anise, but wasn't as perfumed as I was hoping for. After 3 hours more nutty aromas such as roasted sliced almonds and chestnut flavors come through. Good acidity and refined tannins on the palate, though the flavor profile was a little simple. I have had the 2004 BdV recently, which was better in my opinion, but perhaps this bottle was a little off. Will save my remaining bottles to try in 5-10 years. (3367 views) | | | Tasted by OneOfTheBasicFoodGroups on 1/12/2020 & rated 96 points: Now why didn't I buy more of this!!?? Drinking very well now, but won't hold up for more than a couple of days even when using a Vacu Vin stopper, ounce opened. Guess you'll just have to drink it with friends.
Dark, full bodied, and a three ring circus in your mouth. Sooo much good stuff going on in there. Earthy, spicy, with just the right amount of cherry and softened tannins. (3313 views) | | | Tasted by Blauweiss on 10/5/2019 & rated 93 points: Amazing nose with cherries, roses, Tobacco, tar, tea and leather. On the palate long and well balanced, with rich fruit and noticeable but also well integrated tannin. Perfect food wine. (3641 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Michaela Morris
Decanter, Decanter at Home Barolo (11/10/2021)
(GD Vajra, Bricco delle Viole, Nebbiolo, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Panel Tasting
Decanter, Barolo 2008 (7/30/2018)
(GD Vajra, Bricco delle Viole, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Michael Garner
Decanter, Barolo's Golden Age Masterclass (6/1/2018)
(GD Vajra, Bricco delle Viole, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Naples Winter Wine Festival Charity Dinner (Jan 2018) (1/18/2018)
(G.d. Vajra Barolo Bricco Delle Viole Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Michaela Morris
Decanter, GD Vajra Bricco delle Violle (10/1/2017)
(GD Vajra, Bricco delle Viole, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | Decanter, Keystone Reviews Migration 5 (6/20/2015)
(GD Vajra, Bricco delle Viole, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, A Look Back at the 2008 Barolos (May 2014)
(G.d. Vajra Barolo Bricco Delle Viole) Subscribe to see review text. | By Walter Speller
JancisRobinson.com (7/10/2013)
(G D Vajra, Bricco delle Viole Barolo Red) Subscribe to see review text. | The World of Fine Wine, March 2013, Issue #39
(Gd Vajra Barolo Bricco Delle Viole) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Piemonte: 2009 and 2010 Barbaresco Plus Other New Releases (Oct 2012)
(G.d. Vajra Barolo Bricco Delle Viole) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (9/27/2012)
(G D Vajra, Bricco delle Viole Barolo Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Walter Speller
JancisRobinson.com (9/5/2012)
(G D Vajra, Bricco delle Viole Barolo Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Walter Speller
JancisRobinson.com (6/7/2012)
(G D Vajra, Bricco delle Viole Barolo Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (2/4/2013)
(G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole) Medium dark cherry red color; tart cherry, light sandalwood, roses nose; tasty, tight, tart cherry, mineral, roses, sandalwood palate with good balancing acidity; needs 8-plus years; medium-plus finish 92+ points 92 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Decanter and Vinous and JancisRobinson.com and The World of Fine Wine and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| G.D. Vajra Producer Website
The Vajra family has quietly amassed a serious collection of vineyards that make them one of Piedmont’s larger, family-owned estates, something they have accomplished while maintaining the already high level of their entry-level wines. Every wine in the range is absolutely delicious and full of personality. I can’t recommend these new releases highly enough. Antonio GalloniNebbioloNebbiolo is a red grape indigenous to the Piedmont region of Italy in the Northwest. The grape can also be found in other parts of the world, though they are not as respected.
Nebbiolo is often considered the "king of red wines," as it is the grape of the famed wines of Barolo DOCG, Barbaresco DOCG, and Roero DOCG. It is known for high tannins and acidity, but with a distinct finesse. When grown on clay, Nebbiolo can be very powerful, tannic, and require long aging periods to reach its full potential. When grown on sand, the grape exhibits a more approachable body with more elegant fruit and less tannins, but still has high aging potential.
"Nebbiolo" is named for the Italian word, "nebbia", which means "fog", in Italian and rightfully so since there is generally a lot of fog in the foothills of Piedmont during harvest.
Nebbiolo is a late-ripening variety that does best in a continental climate that boasts moderate summers and long autumns. In Piedmont, Nebbiolo is normally harvested in October.
More links:
Varietal character (Appellation America) | Nebbiolo on CellarTrackerBricco delle Viole On weinlagen-info
Bricco delle Viole is a 45.74 ha. vineyard (cru)/ 19.38 ha. Barolo MGA of the Barolo municipality.Italy Italian Wines (ItalianMade.com, The Italian Trade Commission) | Italian Wine Guide on the WineDoctorPiedmont Vignaioli Piemontesi (Italian only)
On weinlagen-infoLanghe Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Roero | Union of Producers of Albese Wines (Albeisa)BaroloRegional History:
The wines of Piedmont are noted as far back as Pliny's Natural History. Due to geographic and political isolation, Piedmont was without a natural port for most of its history, which made exportation treacherous and expensive. This left the Piedmontese with little incentive to expand production. Sixteenth-century records show a mere 14% of the Bassa Langa under vine -- most of that low-lying and farmed polyculturally. In the nineteenth century the Marchesa Falletti, a frenchwoman by birth, brought eonologist Louis Oudart from Champagne to create the first dry wines in Piemonte. Along with work in experimental vineyards at Castello Grinzane conducted by Camilo Cavour -- later Conte di Cavour, leader of the Risorgimento and first Prime Minister of Italy -- this was the birth of modern wine in the Piedmont. At the heart of the region and her reputation are Alba and the Langhe Hills. This series of weathered outcroppings south of the Tanaro River is of maritime origin and composed mainly of limestone, sand and clay, known as terra bianca. In these soils -located mainly around the towns of Barolo and Barbaresco -- the ancient allobrogica, now Nebbiolo, achieves its renowned fineness and power.
map of Barolo DOCG
An interesting thread on Traditional vs. Modern Barolo producers:
https://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=106291 |
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