The king of Italian grapes, Nebbiolo, finds its perfect expression in GD Vajra’s Barolo from the ‘Hill of Violets’, Bricco delle Viole 2020.
‘Incredible; one of the most complete wines I’ve tasted; very fine; especially sublime; elegant and graceful; concentrated yet weightless’ – these are just some of the notes of praise heaped upon this 98-pointer from one of Piedmont’s most recognised estates.
The wine is rosy and racy with red and black fruit, along with spice, truffle, sage and forest-y notes. Rooibos tea-like tannins follow on the palate into an epic and extremely long finale. Start opening it next year until about 2048.
Bricco delle Viole is among the finest crus around the town of Barolo. The vines were planted from the 1930s onwards and sit at 400m-480m altitude, and the name, ‘Hill of Violets’, originates from the flowers that bloom early thanks to the perfect south exposure.
All of Vajra’s 2020 Barolos received high praise, with Vinous calling the wines ‘gracious and finely sketched’ and ‘a compelling mix of classicism and contemporary finesse’. Explore their whole range here.
What began in 1968 with 15-year-old Aldo Vajra tending a small family plot has grown into over 40 hectares of top-quality vineyards. Today, GD Vajra produces some of the most interesting wines in all of Piedmont.
Tasting Notes:
GD Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole 2020
‘A ripe ruby color, the 2020 Barolo Bricco Delle Viole is incredible on the nose. Initially lightly smoky on opening, it needs a little time to reveal notes of candied roses, wild raspberries, tea leaf, and sweet sage. Medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannins, a balanced, compact nature, and a velvety texture, it is nicely concentrated, yet with a weightless feel. This is one of the most complete wines I’ve tasted from Vjara to date. It has depth, but with a defined feel, and is long on the palate, with an exceptional finish. It’s going to have a wide drinking window but age at a very slow rate over the next two to three decades.’ – Jeb Dunnuck, 98/100
‘Rose petals, racy plums and cherries with subtle white pepper spices and mineral. The tight, full-bodied palate is grasped by fine, minerally textured tannins. Powerful, ample and vertical in the middle before a lengthy, mineral finish. Such a joy to taste now, but this would be better in two to three years.’ – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 96/100
‘The 2020 Barolo Bricco delle Viole, Vajra’s flagship, is very fine. Dark cherry, kirsch, blood orange, spice and lavender are nicely amplified. The 2020 is gracious and elegant, but its youthful Nebbiolo tannins will require some time to soften. The 2020 is another wine that captures my keen interests with its sublime balance. I would be thrilled to own it.’ – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 96/100
