Vajra Barolo ‘Albe’ 2020

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

Year after year, tasting through Vajra’s range they stand head held high amongst the pack from the very start of the range through to the Bricco delle Viole.
This year’s release holds true to this strong form!

Maker! Maker! Make!

With the 2019 Barolos Vajra nails two key components that have been the difference between the good Barolos of 2019 and the ones with that little something extra (the ones we stock).

1st you’ll see fine long even tannins that flow beautifully.

2nd a core of fruit of depth and length with great shape.

About Albe by Vajra

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. Think Giulio Mascarello & Franco Fiorina. 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 done 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.

Albe is “Barolo di Barolo”, a Barolo blended from vineyards only in the Barolo comune. Fosatti, Coste de Vergne and La Volta all have different southern exposures and add distinct qualities to the wine, they yield a complex and rich Barolo that will age gracefully for another three to five years, but is an absolute pleasure to drink now. Tannins are round, aromatics complex and the fruit is delicious.

The true Beauty enclosed in Albe is the caress of the sun that rises every morning in three different moments over the vineyards of this Barolo. With this wine we wish to communicate the exceptional simplicity of nature that makes this everyday miracle an awakening of life. Milena Vaira

The three vineyards that contribute to Albe: Fossati, La Volta and Coste de Vergne. Click to enlarge.

The Fossati Cru rests across the border of La Morra and the Commune di Barolo in the central west part of the region.  Vajra’s Fossati is in the Commune di Barolo. Click on the map to enlarge it.

A Session with Giuseppe

We had the great fortune to spend an afternoon with Guiseppe this year. His passion, and, his families passion, thoughtful, and, humble approach to their work is inspiring.

Listen to 🎧Giusseppe explore the history of Barolo, the estate, and, the wines.

About Vajra

Vajra is one of those producers that, across their range, manages to deliver sophisticated, fun wines that are great expressions of fruit. Thankfully, unlike many, Giuseppe understands restraint and oak!

“I try to make wines that give people joy. In the past wine was a food, it was necessary for sustenance. Today that is not the case, we choose to drink for pleasure. I want to make wines that bring people happiness.” Aldo Vajra

The Vajra family has quietly amassed a serious collection of vineyards that make them one of Piedmont’s larger, family-owned estates, something they have accomplished while maintaining the already high level of their entry-level wines. Every wine in the range is absolutely delicious and full of personality. I can’t recommend these new releases highly enough. Antonio Galloni

The 2020 Vintage at Vajra

There’s plenty to like in these new releases from the Vajra family. Starting with the 2020 Barolos, the wines are gracious and finely sketched, with the personality of each wine clearly defined. The Bricco delle Viole is especially sublime and well worth seeking out. As always, the Barolos offer a compelling mix of classicism and contemporary finesse. The entry-level offerings are a bit mixed this year, largely a reflection of the challenging 2022 harvest. Readers will find several new wines made from nearly extinct varieties that show plenty of intrigue and that are sure to enrich this range going forward.

Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Where in the World is Vajra?

Vajra is bassed in the Commune of Barolo (a little confusing as the whole region is also called Barolo) in the centre of the map.