Vajra G.D. Barbera d'Alba Superiore Viola delle Viole 2023

Vajra G.D. Barbera d'Alba Superiore Viola delle Viole 2023 is a beautifully expressive Barbera from one of Piedmont’s most admired family estates. It captures the grape’s natural juiciness and energy, but frames it with a precision and elegance that’s distinctly Vajra. Named after the historic Viola delle Viole vineyard, this cuvée showcases Barbera at its most refined while remaining utterly drinkable and food-friendly.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the wine shows a deep, vibrant ruby-purple color, hinting at both concentration and freshness. The nose is immediately inviting, with notes of ripe black cherries, crushed violets, wild berries and plum, layered with subtle spice, licorice, and a touch of graphite and cedar from careful oak aging. On the palate, this Barbera is medium to full-bodied with a beautifully polished texture. Bright, mouthwatering acidity – a hallmark of the grape – keeps the generous fruit in perfect balance, offering flavors of sour cherry, blackberry, red currant and a touch of balsamic. Fine-grained tannins provide gentle structure without heaviness, leading to a long, savory finish with hints of dark chocolate, dried herbs and floral lift. While already enjoyable in its youth, the 2023 has the balance and backbone to develop additional complexity over the next 5–8 years, gaining more savory and tertiary nuances with time in bottle.

Production
Viola delle Viole comes from high-altitude vineyards in the hills around Barolo and Barolo’s outskirts in Piedmont, where calcareous clay and marl soils, cool nights and abundant sunlight give Barbera its remarkable aromatic intensity and natural freshness. Grapes are typically harvested by hand in small crates to ensure optimal selection of perfectly ripe, healthy bunches. After gentle crushing, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel or traditional vertical vats, with careful extraction to preserve purity of fruit and fine tannins. The wine then matures in a mix of large Slavonian oak casks and/or seasoned barriques, adding subtle spice and structure without overshadowing the natural character of the grape and the vineyard.

Food & Serving
This Barbera d’Alba Superiore is a versatile partner at the table, working beautifully with classic Piedmontese dishes like vitello tonnato, tajarin with meat ragù, agnolotti del plin and braised beef, as well as roast poultry, grilled lamb, charcuterie, mushroom risottos and aged semi-hard cheeses. It also complements rich tomato-based pasta, pizza with cured meats, and earthy vegetable dishes. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal aromatic expression. A brief decant of 30–45 minutes can help the 2023 vintage open up its floral and spice notes, especially in its first few years, but it can also be enjoyed straight from the bottle with a bit of time in the glass.

Producer
G.D. Vajra is a family-run estate based in Barolo, founded in the 1970s by Aldo Vajra, who was among the early proponents of meticulous vineyard work and a more elegant, terroir-focused style in the region. Over the decades, the winery has become one of Piedmont’s benchmarks, respected for its precise, pure expressions of native grapes such as Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto, as well as its work with high-altitude vineyards that emphasize freshness and aromatic detail. With holdings in some of Barolo’s finest crus and a philosophy that combines organic practices, low yields and thoughtful, minimalist winemaking, Vajra has earned a reputation for producing wines that are both deeply rooted in tradition and strikingly contemporary in their finesse.

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