Baudana Baudana Dinner with Giuseppe Vaira

Chambers Street Wines in NYC put together this vertical of Barolos from the Baudana Vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba made by the Baudana family, and later the Vajra family.

Luigi Baudana inherited the winery from his uncle Giovanni Baudana some time in the late 1970s. Giovanni inherited the winery from his father Domenico some time before 1970.

The first two Barolos in this dinner were made by Giovanni, entirely from the Baudana vineyard. The 2000, 2001 were made entirely by Luigi. The 2005 was made by Luigi but finished by Giuseppe Vaira. From 2008 on, the wines were grown, made, and bottled by the Vairas. The vineyard was the same throughout.

The Baudana wines were double-decanted by the restaurant at midday.

Photos and more details can be found on my website.

The Luigi Baudana Winery website.

• NV Pierre Péters Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Cuvée de Réserve 92 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  [Disgorged July 2022.] Big buttery nose. Big and oaky in the mouth. Long and complex.

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These two wines were made by Luigi Baudana's uncle Giovanni Baudana from the Baudana vineyard.
With Pork Tonnato.

• 1970 Giovanni Baudana Barolo 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Made by Luigi Baudana's uncle Giovanni. Made from the Baudana vineyard, but not labeled as such.] Gorgeous nose of cherries and spice. Juicy and delicious with a long finish. Impressive for 1970.

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• 1974 Giovanni Baudana Barolo Flawed

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Made by Luigi Baudana's uncle Giovanni. Made from the Baudana vineyard, but not labeled as such.] Smelly nose. Sour in the mouth. Over the hill. Maybe a poorly stored bottle given how well the 1970 showed.

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The 2000, 2001 were made entirely by Luigi. The 2005 was made by Luigi but finished by Giuseppe Vaira.
With Paccheri with Lamb Ragu.

• 2000 Luigi Baudana Barolo Baudana 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Dark smoky nose of licorice and black fruit. Gorgeous in the mouth. Lovely long finish.

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• 2001 Luigi Baudana Barolo Baudana 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Gorgeous nose of black plums and black berries. Noticeably more youthful and less ready than the 2000. Big and juicy in the mouth with lots of ripe black fruit, tar, licorice, and tannin. Should drink well for another 20 years.

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• 2005 Luigi Baudana Barolo Baudana 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Muted nose of tar and black fruit. Surprisingly backward for this vintage. Lots of dark fruit, tar, licorice, and tannin. I would hold for another 5 years or give this a long decant. 93-94

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From 2008 on, the wines were grown, made, and bottled by the Vairas.
With Dry-Aged Strip Steak with Grilled Radicchio, Parmesan Fonduta.

• 2008 Luigi Baudana Barolo Baudana 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Gorgeous nose of red fruit and spice. A lot of tannin in the mouth, but loads of fruit to match. This is one of the wines of the vintage with great potential for at least the next 20 years. 95-97

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• 2010 Luigi Baudana Barolo Baudana 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Similar to the 2008, but even darker red fruit and spice in the nose. Long, juicy finish, but less tannic than the 2008. Great future here.

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• 2013 Luigi Baudana Barolo Baudana 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Stunning nose. Great perfume. Big and juicy, this definitely needs time, but there's a lush silkiness to this that makes it appealing to drink now. Still, it will benefit from another 10 years in the cellar. 94-96

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These wines were grown, made, and bottled by the Vairas.
With Robiola Bosina and Salumi.

• 2015 Luigi Baudana Barolo Baudana 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  The first bottle was flawed with quite a bit of acetone in the nose and mouth. An off bottle. Giuseppe and Tom agreed, so Giuseppe found the other bottle, which was sound.
  Bottle 2: Big rich nose of red fruit and licorice. Lovely and soft in the mouth, but with good structure underneath. Should drink well for at least 15 years.

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• 2018 Luigi Baudana Barolo Baudana 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Flamboyant nose of primary red and black fruit soars from the glass. Delicious bright red fruit in the mouth. This may not be a long ager, but it is so yummy now.

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What fun to taste such a rare vertical of wine from a specific vineyard made by three different winemakers at the same winery. And to have Giuseppe Vaira there to tell us all about these wines was a particular treat.

The food at Popina was excellent and well-matched to the wines.