G.D. Vajra Albe Barolo DOCG, 2015
G.D. Vajra Albe Barolo DOCG, 2015
100% Nebbiolo. A tribute to the masters of tradition, Albe is a blend of three high-elevation estate vineyards from Comune di Barolo: Fossati, Coste di Vergne and La Volta. They lay on three different slopes on the same hill, thus our chance to see three sunrises (Albe) every day.
The high-elevation vineyards for Barolo Albe are usually picked in the second half of Nebbiolo harvest. Vinification is made in custom-designed vertical tini, with gentle punch down and rinsing of the cap. Maceration lasts 25-30 days on average. Malolactic in held in stainless steel, the following spring.
Albe rests between 26 and 32 months, on average, in large Slavonian oak casks of 40, 50 and 75hL. The wine is usually raked once a year. Blending is decided in the spring prior to bottling.
Albe has an amazing scent of macerated Nebbiolo pomace, cranberries and raspberries. Infused rose petals, sweet red fruits and a hint of black figs, complete its wide and elegant bouquet. So authentic and yet expressive, it beautifully celebrates the maturity of these vineyards and wine. Albe is a pure tribute to Barolo di Barolo and to the amazing craft of combining vineyards!
The Vajra family has farmed Bricco delle Viole, the highest cru in Comune di Barolo, since the 1880s.
At the young age of fifteen, Aldo Vajra embraced the dream to revive his family legacy. Displaying a vision and commitment belying his young age he took over the estate in 1968, turning a new page.
Aldo soon acquired the first organic certification of the region (1971), created private biotype selections (selezioni massali) of Nebbiolo and Dolcetto, pioneered the renaissance of Freisa, a noble yet forgotten local grape (1980) and the cultivation of Rhine Riesling in Piemonte (1985). When Aldo met Milena, who shared the same love for farming, a romance blossomed turning into the wonderful bouquet that the Vajra family represent.
Today, the Vajra family continues the vineyard research focusing on the influence of soil and climate change. The winery is trail-blazing the rediscovery of Chiaretto di Nebbiolo and the wines of the 17th century – long before Barolo was created - through two limited-production wines: “N.S. della Neve” (a champagne-method rosé nature) and “Claré JC”, a partial whole-cluster fermentation of pure Nebbiolo.
High elevation vineyards are a unique factor to the Vajra wines, for their ability to express finesse and remarkable complexity over power. Dolcetto Coste&Fossati and Barbera d’Alba Superiore are a testament of the Vajras’ love for each grape, thus allocating top vineyards for these amazing native varietals.
Attention to detail and humility towards nature, un-compromised efforts and humanity: so are Aldo and Milena, now joined by their energetic children Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro, and by an amazing team of young professionals, in their quest for an authentic expression of their land into the wines.
G.D. Vajra is an independent winery, entirely family-owned.
PAIR WITH ROAST CHICKEN, CLASSIC FRIDAY PIZZA NIGHT, RED SAUCE ITALIAN, EGGPLANT.