Community Tasting Notes 4

• Ben Christiansen wrote:

  February 27, 2024 - Smells just wonderful. So engaging and powerful. Lovely spice throughout the mid palate, long finish, huge upside potential. Lovely wine indeed.

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• tastark Likes this wine:

  February 23, 2023 - G.D. Varja Seminar; 2018 vs 2019 (Boston University): Being a big fan of Vajra prior to this tasting, I am ashamed to admit we were completly ignorant of the family's other set of wines produced under the Luigi Baudana label. The story goes that Luigi and his wife Fiorina did not have an heir and when Luigi started getting older and experienced a health issue in the late 2000s, suddenly everyone became their best friends and started inviting them to dinner and checking on Luigi to see how he was recovering. The overtures were obvious to Luigi and mostly unwelcomed. Where were all of these "friends" throughout the years?
  
  The Vajra family, however, did not make an approach. I am not sure they were even interested in acquiring the estate, but one of Luigi's true friends was also friends with the Vajras and suggested that Luigi go talk to them. He apparently made a secret visit to take a tour of the Vajra estate with some of his friends. I guess he liked what he heard and the very slow, polite, courtship dance began and ultimately concluded with the Vajras agreeing to become the stewards of the Baudana estate and brand. They continue making the wines at the historic Baudana cellars, which are reportedly TINY, and will likely do so in the future.
  
  Regarding the Baudana cru and the wine made therefrom, no one knows whether the family name came before the vineyard and hamlet name, or vice versa. The origin is lost in time. Either way, it is a hidden gem among the vineyards of Serralunga. It was apparently once a very well known and prestigious cru that somehow fell out of prominance. Today producers in the cru, like the Vajras, are working hard to restore it to it's former glory. The vineyard features fossil ladel oceanic marls that have a distinct, bluish tone. In Serralunga d’Alba, Nebbiolo ripens a few days earlier than in Barolo. Vininfication and aging are done in the typical Vajra manner.
  
  The 2018 was one of the most transparent wines in terms of color and robe. This may have been the most "feminine" 2018 we tried, but that may also be just an impression due to the power of the Ravera flight that preceded these wines. The nose was floral with a hint of pine sap and pitch. The acidity was fantastic on this wine and the tannins very supple. The finish was juicy and sweet. Drink or hold.

  3 people found this helpful Comment

• kenv Likes this wine: 93 points

  February 21, 2023 - Baudana Baudana Dinner with Giuseppe Vaira (Popina, 127 Columbia St, Brooklyn, NY): 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.

  1 person found this helpful Comment

• peanutbutterskittles wrote: 93 points

  February 16, 2023 - Young, Serravallian Barolo: This is a fine, balanced wine. Medium bodied, smooth, with a great balance of red fruit, florality, and oak spice. However, it seems a bit closed right now, and may need time to really develop, but is not unapproachable (just probably not great value in its youth).

  1 person found this helpful Comment

Pro Reviews 3

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2018
• Type Red
• Producer Luigi Baudana
• Varietal Nebbiolo
• Designation n/a
• Vineyard Baudana
• Country Italy
• Region Piedmont
• SubRegion Langhe
• Appellation Barolo

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 19 (8%)
• In Cellars 208 (90%)
• Consumed 3 (1%)

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