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G.D. Vajra Barbera d'Alba, 2018, Piemonte, Italy

Regular price £22.00 Sale

Our View:

With a history of winemaking in Piemonte dating back to the 1880's, the Vajra family are well established and produce some wonderful wines form the region in a sustainable manner.

This 2018 Barbera is joyous and as G.D.Vajra themselves say, "2018 reminds us of 2016, perhaps even more of 2004 and promises to become an elegant and classic vintage"

The Wine:

In 1971, Aldo Vajra, then still a university student, was one of the earliest to adopt organic farming in Piemonte. Vineyards have been nurtured, and soil preserved, by grassing and spontaneous cover crop for almost 50 years now. Vajra are sustainable and organic certified.

With an incredible ratio of manual work per hectare, farming at Vajra is a labor of love and “recipe-free” attention. Intense research is also placed into monitoring and improving the biodiversity of both flora and fauna not just in the vineyards, but also in the winery fields and forests.

The vineyards are positioned at about 400 metres above sea level in the village of Vergne in the commune of Barolo.  A traditionalist, Aldo adheres to old-style winemaking methods, though blends these with new techniques, such as temperature-controlled fermentation, to produce such superbly elegant wines.

The grapes were grown in six different vineyards from three different areas. Four vineyards are in Barolo, on chalky, Tortonian soils, facing either south-east or south-west, with vines planted between 1968 and 2004. Here the chalky soil results in delicately aromatic wines, with high acidity and red berry characters. The two vineyards planted in Novello and Sinio are on Helvetian soils, giving wines with ripe, black fruit characters, balsam and minerality, with firmer tannins. 

This harvest was particularly favourable for the best exposed vineyards, those at high elevation, and the late ripening varietals. The wines are fragrant, deliciously aromatic, with elegant tannins.

Vajra’s 2018 Barbera d'Alba was harvested between October 3rd and 9th. Each parcel was individually fermented so to respect the personality and qualities of each site, for an average time of 20 days. While Barbera is often treated with shorter and vigorous macerations, Vajra work with gentle punch downs and cap rinsings for longer periods, in order to capture all the fragrance of the grapes. Malolactic fermentation took place in the stainless steel vats.

Tasting Note: 

The 2018 Barbera D’Alba has a deep purple color. The nose is vibrant and combines vivid red and black fruits with sweet spices and aromatic herbs. Hints of anise and graphite add complexity to the wine. The palate is succulent and incredibly layered, yet bright with elegant acidity, strawberries, cherries, a whiffle of white pepper and a mineral long finish. (Organic, Vegan, Vegetarian). 

The Facts:

Wine

Barbera d'Alba, Langhe, Piemonte

Vintage

2018

Style

Red Wine

Grape Variety

100% Barbera

Alcohol Content

15.5%

Closure

Natural cork

Bottle Size

750ml

 

What the critics say:

Wine Spectator - 90 Points

"This is round, exuding black cherry, blackberry and iron flavors that are deftly integrated with the polished texture. The flavors build to a lengthy conclusion. Drink now through 2024".

 

 

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