G.D. Vajra Dolcetto d'Alba 2024
The nose opens with notes of an expressive burst of blueberry and a distinctly vinous character, layered with delicate floral undertones. The palate is vibrant and refreshing with a delightful balance of fruitiness and tannins. Flavours of red berries, liquorice notes carry through the finish with subtle hints of sweet spice.
Historically, Dolcetto was cultivated on prime land just above the Nebbiolo vineyards. In keeping this approach, the Vajra family vineyards grow in areas that best showcase the varietal. The grapes are sourced from four of the estate's own vineyards: Coste di Vergne, Fossati and Pascolo in Barolo and Ravera in Novello. The vines are trained using the guyot system and planting dates range from 1982-2002. Soils here are a mix of limestone and marl. Aldo Vaira has followed organic practices since 1971 and all of the estate’s vineyards have been certified organic since the 2019 vintage.
As the vineyards are located at a high elevation, and are protected from thermal inversion, the fruit was allowed a longer hanging period for fuller ripening. Fermentation was long and gentle, lasting 15 days on average. The wine was then racked twice prior to malolactic fermentation, which took place in stainless-steel vats. Ageing took place in stainless-steel vats only, to preserve the varietal freshness and lasted for four months.
| RRP | £22.99 |
| Bottle size | 75cl |
| Vintage | 2024 |
| Alcoholic strength | 12% |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piemonte |
| Subregion | Langhe |
| Grapes | Dolcetto 100% |
| Residual sugar (g/l) | 0.4 |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Organic | Yes |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Natural Cork |
| Winemaker | Giuseppe and Aldo Vaira |
The Vaira family is based in the small village of Vergne, which sits above the town of Barolo on the westernmost edge of the denomination. They have 10 hectares of Barolo vineyard planted along this western part of the zone, the prime site being Bricco delle Viole, which sits at over 400 metres above sea level. The elevation and westerly orientation make this vineyard an exceptional cru, as it benefits from the cool breezes that flow from the mountains to the west, as well as from morning and evening sun. The style of wine from this site, scented yet ripe, supple yet with great ageing potential, sets the template for the rest of the G.D. Vajra wines.
While Aldo’s grandparents bought the land in the 1920s, his father was educated in Turin, after which he became a lawyer. But it all started for Aldo in 1968 when he was part of a group of protesting students who marched past his father’s office. Shocked at Aldo’s involvement with the marchers, his parents despatched him to the farm in Barolo for the summer, far from the ferment of revolutionary ideas that were in the air in 1968. When he returned to Turin in September, his parents were even more shocked when he told them he wanted to become a farmer and bring the family farm back to life. After much discussion, his parents agreed to him studying Agriculture at university.
During the next four years, Aldo travelled frequently to Vergne to start planting and running a small vineyard, putting into practice what he learned at university. One of the first precepts he implemented was organic viticulture, something that was revolutionary at the time, but which has been core to the G.D. Vajra philosophy ever since. In 1972, he was ready for his first vintage, which turned out to be the worst of the 20th century. Despite the fact that not a bottle of Barolo was produced from the 1972 vintage, he remained calm and committed, teaching viticulture to earn a living while the wines he made in subsequent vintages matured in the cellar. At the same time, he slowly acquired more land where he could. Today, the estate has 20 hectares in Barolo, which include outstanding single vineyards such as ‘Ravera’, ‘Fossati’, ‘La Volta’, ‘Coste di Vergne’, ‘Coste di Rose’ as well as Bricco delle Viole.
Aldo and his wife, Milena, are now joined in this family venture by their children Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro. The youngest, Isidoro, works with Aldo to manage the vineyard while Giuseppe looks after the winery and Francesca administration, visits and everything else there is to do in a property this size.
