Gd Vajra ‘Albe’ Barolo 2017
SKU
GVBA201712 UCAU
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A Barolo of great character and refined balance
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Albe represents one of the most versatile, accessible and well-priced Baroli to emerge from the Appellation
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Blend of a handful of vineyards
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1 or more bottles$107.99
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Wine Enthusiast93 points
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Monica Larner93 points
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Gary Walsh93+ points
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James Suckling92 points
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Antonio Galloni91 points
Editors notes
Albe is a tribute to the masters of the 1950s and 60s, to those winemakers who had the vision and the taste to blend some of the most amazing crus in order to achieve a Barolo of balance and charm. The high-elevation vineyards for Barolo Albe have an exposure ranging from south-south-east to south-west. The grapes are usually picked in the second half of the Nebbiolo harvest. Vinification is made in custom-designed vertical vats, with gentle punch down and pumpovers. Maceration lasts 25 days on average. Malolactic conversion occurs in stainless steel the following spring. Albe rests on average between 30 and 36 months in large (40, 50 and 75hL) Slavonian oak casks. The wine is usually racked once a year. Blending is decided in the spring prior to bottling.
Details
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Wine Type
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Vintage
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Variety
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Brand
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Location
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Cellaring
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Closure
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Alcohol Percentage
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Bottle Size
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Oak Type
Tasting Profile
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Light (Light)Full (Full)
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Low Tannin (Low Tannin)Tannic (Tannic)
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Sweet (Sweet)Dry (Dry)
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Low Acidity (Low Acidity)High Acidity (High Acidity)
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Aroma
- Earthy
- Roses
- Tar
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Palate
- Floral
- Savoury
- Tar
Food Pairings
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Game -
Pork -
Red Meat
Critic Scores & reviews
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Wine Enthusiast
93"This is one of the most accessible and trustworthy wines you can buy from Piedmont. Keeping in line with past vintages, the G.D. Vajra 2017 Barolo Albe opens to medium concentration and a very expressive or fruit-forward bouquet. This hot-climate 2017 edition shows a little more ripeness and roundness as is to be expected, but these results are a safe bet nonetheless. Cherry and raspberry aromas are followed by blue flower and pressed violets. Set this bottle aside for medium or long-term drinking. 93 points"
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Monica Larner
93"Red berry, rose and camphor aromas waft out of the glass. Tangy and delicious, the smooth, full-bodied palate doles out ripe Marasca cherry, fleshy raspberry and hints of ground baking spice framed in taut, polished tannins. It's already accessible but also has good midterm aging potential. Drink 2022–2029."
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Gary Walsh
93+"A lovely fruit forward and charming Barolo here. Raspberry, cherry, menthol and sweet spices. Medium-bodied, spicy red fruits, perfume and juicy flavours. Tea leaf fragrance, a bit of liquorice and bergamot, gentle brick dust tannin, affable and succulent, with a long and cool mentholated finish. Drinking well now, but a few years will see it rise and shine. Excellent."
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James Suckling
92"Fresh and floral aromas with plum, orange peel and some cedar follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Very drinkable now, but will improve with age. 92points"
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Antonio Galloni
91"The 2017 Barolo Albe is exquisite. Bright and beautifully lifted, the 2017 Albe is a wine of pure and total pleasure. All the elements come together so gracefully. Crushed flowers, red berries, mint, cinnamon and lavender are some of the many notes that open in the glass. The 2017 is so nicely done in the way it captures the radiance of the year and the classicism that runs through all these wines. Vineyard sites are Fossati, Costa di Vergne and Le Volte. 91 points"
Other vintages
Love this wine? Here's a list of other vintages we have in stock if you'd like to try them as well.
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- Variety Nebbiolo
- Vintage 2017
- Brand G.D. Vajra
- Cellaring 15 Plus Years
- Wine Type Red
- Alcohol Percentage 14.0% Alcohol
Gd Vajra 'Ravera' Barolo 2017-
Wine Enthusiast97 points
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Monica Larner94+ points
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Gary Walsh95 points
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James Suckling96 points
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Antonio Galloni95 points
$182.00 -
- Variety Nebbiolo
- Vintage 2017
- Brand G.D. Vajra
- Cellaring 10-15 Years
- Wine Type Red
- Alcohol Percentage 14.5% Alcohol
Gd Vajra Coste Di Rose Barolo 2017-
Wine Enthusiast96 points
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Monica Larner94 points
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Gary Walsh94 points
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James Suckling93 points
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Antonio Galloni93 points
$157.99 -
- Variety Nebbiolo
- Vintage 2018
- Brand G.D. Vajra
- Cellaring 10-15 Years
- Wine Type Red
- Alcohol Percentage 14.5% Alcohol
Gd Vajra ‘Albe’ Barolo 2018-
Wine Enthusiast93 points
-
Monica Larner93 points
-
Gary Walsh93+ points
-
James Suckling92 points
-
Antonio Galloni91 points
$107.99 -
- Variety Nebbiolo
- Vintage 2017
- Brand G.D. Vajra
- Cellaring 10-15 Years
- Wine Type Red
- Alcohol Percentage 14.0% Alcohol
Gd Vajra ‘Bricco Delle Viole’ Barolo 2017-
Wine Enthusiast96 points
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Monica Larner95 points
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Gary Walsh95 points
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Antonio Galloni95 points
$182.00
Current auction
All current auctions for this wine & any different vintages.
Locations
Italy
Italy has some of the oldest wine production methods in the world and almost every part of the country is planted under vine. From the Alps in the north to the very southernmost parts of Sicily where Africa is almost in sight, wine is successfully cultivated. In addition to the latitude covered, Italy's many mountains and hills provide a plethora of altitudes for grape growing in various soils and micro-climates. The extensive coastlines along the peninsula that is Italy provide maritime climates for the coastal wine-growing areas. Over 350 grape varieties are 'authorised' in Italy, though up to 550 varieties are thought to be grown.
The classification system of Italian wines has four classes, with the intention of defining a wine's origin a quality. Two of these classes are table wines, whilst DOC and DOCG fall under the EU quality wine produced in a specific region category. Vino da Tavola (VDT) means that the wine comes from Italy. Most of these wines are generally basic table wines that are consumed domestically. Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) denotes a more specific region within Italy, and the resultant will be of higher quality than simple table wines, but won't conform to the rules required for higher certification. Both Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) are regionally more specific than IGT, and have stricter rules regarding the grape varieties grown, yields per hectare, minimum alcohol levels and so on. The major difference between DOC and DOCG is that the latter has to undergo a blind-tasting session to ensure the highest quality is achieved. Italy has 32 DOCG appelations, 311 DOC appelations and 120 IGT zones.
Key regions include Piedmont, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Veneto, Sicily and Sardinia. Common white varieties grown are Pinot Grigio, Arneis, Vermentino, Verdicchio, Fiano and Moscato. The red varieties grown the most are Sangiovese, Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Nero d'Avola and Corvina.
Piedmont
Piedmont (Piemonte in Italian) is probably the finest wine region in all of Italy, and has laid claim to this since Roman times. It has a continental climate influenced by the surrounding Alps and Ligurian Apennines, and is located in the north-west of Italy, bordering both France and Switzerland.
Piedmont has only 1% of the total vineyards of Bordeaux and 15% that of Burgundy. So while a top Chateaux may produce upwards of 35,000 cases a year, leading Barolo producers will often make only 800 cases. More than half of its vineyards are registered with DOC designations and many are in the Apennine or Alpine foothills, from 300-600m above sea level. Most of the wines are produced by smaller family estates rather than larger holdings.
Piedmont has 46 different DOC and four DOCG regions, and produces the largest number of well known, world-recognized, prize-winning wines. The most famous would have to be Barolo or Barbaresco, whose power comes from the Nebbiolo grape variety. The most widely planted red variety is Barbera although Dolcetto, Muscat, Shiraz and Bonarda are also produced.
The white variety most well known is Moscato, which is often made into frizzante (bubbly) wines known as Asti. Cortese is made into the popular Gavi wines, and smaller amounts of Chardonnay and high quality Sparkling are also produced in the far north of Piedmont.
Barolo
Situated in the picturesque rolling hills of Piedmont, Italy, just south of the historic town of Alba, lies the renowned appellation of 'Barolo'. Steeped in tradition and history, this now DOCG status region is widely regarded as one of Italy's finest wine-producing areas, thanks to its production of exceptional red wines made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes.
Barolo wines are famed for their complex flavor profiles, firm tannins, and beguiling aromas, earning them the coveted title of ‘the King of Wines’ for centuries. While the DOCG defines winemaking practices, there are two distinct styles that winemakers tend to prefer - a traditional style and a modern style.
The region boasts two primary soil types - the sandy Tortonian marl, which tends to produce softer wines with a more delicate character, and the Helvetian sandstone clay, which typically gives rise to more robust, powerful wines. The continental climate of the area, characterized by a long summer and late autumn, provides an ideal environment for growing the fickle Nebbiolo grape to perfect ripeness, resulting in wines of unparalleled quality and character.
The winemaking history of Barolo can be traced back centuries, and the region's unique terroir, combined with the expertise of its winemakers, has resulted in the creation of some of Italy's most sought-after and collectible wines. Barolo wines are a perfect pairing with rich, hearty dishes, particularly those featuring truffles or wild game, and are a must-try for any serious wine lover.
In addition to producing world-class Barolo wines, the region is also renowned for its production of other fine wines, including Barbaresco, Dolcetto, and Barbera, all of which showcase the unique character and terroir of this remarkable wine-growing region. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or simply looking to explore one of Italy's most captivating regions, Barolo is an unforgettable destination that is sure to delight and inspire.
About the brand G.D. Vajra
Working with high-altitude vineyards the road can be both arduous and stunningly beautiful, that lead us to wines where finesse and perfumes blend into one. Say hello to the wines of G.D. Vajra
From the Bricco delle Viole sub region of Barolo, this vineyard has been shaped gently over many years; swinging to the south, visible from several kilometres away. “On certain autumn days it seems to emerge like a promontory out of a sea of fog. Here the sun does not encounter obstacles. It rises early to the east and gives energy to the vineyards until the end of the day, when it sets in the west over the Alps.” A picturesque scene in the Italian countryside, the purity of the light here is balanced by the influence of the Alps and the proximity to the Tanaro river. These geographical features creates accentuated thermal changes, able to ripen the fruit slowly to perfection, preserving it from excessive heat and allowing the concentration of noble and delicate aromas such as violet, orange zest and star anise.
“This for us is a road, an inspiration, a vocation. In each vineyard we are looking for unique characters and personalities, but in all of them we search for this note of ethereal beauty, like a sweetly whispered poem.”
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