Last bottles of each (17 to 36...)
Three Absolutely Sublime
2017 G.D. Varja & Baudana Barolos
All 93-96 Points, Allocated, RARE
Normally Exclusive to Michelin-Star Wine Lists & NOT for Retail
We're highlighting the unreal value 'Albe':
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And the 3,000 bottle-only RARE "Ceretta"
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- Only 37 bottles: their incredibly delicious "Albe" - the greatest bargain you can get @ $44.97 ('15 vintage in WS Top 100)
- Only 36 bottles: Baudana "Cerretta" - four 95-96 point scores, only 3,000 bottles released of the most legendary single-vineyard in Barolo
- Only 14 bottles: "Bricco delle Viole" - five 95-96 point scores for their darkest & most powerful vineyard
- Micro-production: 1,000-3,000 cases made each vintage (or less)
- 2017 = hot Barolo vintage offering fruit intensity and earlier drinking
"G.D. Vajra is one of the most exciting estates to watch today. Congratulations on these gorgeous wines."
-Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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Hello Artisans,
The Vajra Barolos are always the most sublime/juiciest/elegant/fragrant/balanced/Burgundian/rare available. If that wasn't already enough... They're the most fairly-priced, too!
Yet, as with all great things in wine, this tiny production (1-3k cases anually) producer is typically NEVER available to purchase. What miniscule amount that's imported normally goes to your esteemed michelin star restaurant wine lists around the country.
So, I suppose I can say that the only "good" thing that resulted from the shelter-in-place orders/shutdowns, it would be all the rare allocated gems we've been able to acquire.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate reviewer Monica Larner has declared G.D. Vajra to be "one of the most exciting estates to watch today."
Here, too, is what Antonio Galloni had to say when reviewing G.D. Vajra and Baudana (made by son Giuseppe) wines from this vintage: “The Vajra family produced a bevy of stellar wines from both their estates, G.D. Vajra in Barolo and Baudana in Serralunga. The 2017s are deep, fleshy and impeccably balanced. All of the 2017s were fermented in steel, where they spent 50-60 days on the skins, including submerged cap maceration at the end. Aging was done mostly in cask, with some smaller neutral oak barrels."
Producer History
The G.D. Vajra estate is located in Vergne, the highest village of Barolo in northwest Italy, where the vineyards sit at an altitude of up to 1300 feet. The estate is named after Giuseppe Domenico Vajra, who founded the estate in 1972, using vineyards that had been in the family since the 1920s. The result of these high elevation vineyards is small yields, small berry size and thick skinned berries – all with an innate elegance.
The estate is now run by his Giuseppe's son Aldo with help from his son, another Giuseppe. Aldo 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). Today, the Vajra family continues their vineyard research focusing on the influence of soil and climate change. The family has 40 hectares (almost 100 acres), of which 10 are planted with Nebbiolo for Aldo's Barolo, located in such prized vineyards as Bricco delle Viole, Fossati, La Volta and Coste di Vergne.
About the 2017 Barolo Vintage:
In his notes on the 2017 vintage, Antonio Galloni said “The 2017 Barolos defy the stereotypes of a warm, dry vintage. They offer the classic mid-weight structure of Nebbiolo, with lifted aromatics, and persistent tannins that need time in bottle to soften.” Galloni rated it 92-94 points. In his full review on 2017 Barolo, just published in February, he had this to add:
"...the 2017s are mid-weight Barolos with the classic structure of Nebbiolo. They are often intensely aromatic. Acids and tannins are prominent in many wines. The fruit profiles are ripe, often distinctly red-toned, but not cooked or over-ripe. Perhaps most importantly, the 2017 Barolos are very true to site, which is always a concern with vintages marked by warm weather. The best 2017s are exceptionally polished, vivid and flat-out delicious."
We have only 17-36 bottles of the three wines on offer below, and won't receive anymore (we've tried) as the vintage was completely allocated out before it even landed... So please do order promptly to get these in your cellar (or your mouth) as they'll be gone by this weekend.
Cheers!
-James Tran
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2017 G.D. Vajra
"Albe" Barolo DOCG
93 Points - Wine Advocate:
"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." - ML (6/17/2021)
93 Points 'Editor's Choice' - Wine Enthusiast:
"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." - Kerin O'Keefe (7/1/2021)
93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2017 Barolo Albe has generous aromas of fresh black cherry, dried roses, baking spice, and tar. The palate has concentration of fruit that remains fresh with tension, noted by dried cranberry, orange zest, and cocoa. Once again, this wine proves a great value that well over-delivers for an entry Barolo. Drink 2021-2036." (5/7/2021)
92 Points - James Suckling:
"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." (5/28/2021)
91 Points - Vinous:
"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." - Antonio Galloni (2/2021)
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- Only 37 bottles left - last call
Competitor's Price: $55.00 btl
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2017 G.D. Vajra
"Bricco delle Viole"
Barolo DOCG
96 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Aromas of underbrush, pine forest, woodland berries and cedar form the enticing nose. Full-bodied and savory, the structured palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and cinnamon before closing on pipe tobacco notes. Tightly knit but refined tannins provide the backbone, while surprisingly fresh acidity for the hot vintage keeps it balanced. Drink 2024–2032." - Kerin O'Keefe (7/1/2021)
96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2017 Barolo Bricco Delle Viole is the darker fruited of the G.D. Vajra sites and has rounded floral aromatics of crushed roses, resin, and cranberry cocktail. The palate is ripe and inviting, with building structure and notes of fresh red cherry, blood orange, and clove. The warmth of the vintage is felt without sacrificing lift. Drink 2025-2050." (5/27/2021)
95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The G.D. Vajra 2017 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is packed with medium dark cherry fruit and plum. The wine also shows a savory side, with spice, hazelnut cream, licorice and lightly fragrant potting soil. This vintage sits solid on the palate, wrapping thickly over the senses, thanks to its creamy, fruit-driven consistency and well-managed tannins. These vines are high in elevation, ranging from 400 to 480 meters in altitude. Those higher elevations are key to interpreting a vintage that saw heat such as this. Production is 15,000 bottles." - Monica Larner (6/17/2021)
95 Points - James Suckling:
"Aromas of ripe strawberries and flowers follow through to a full body with firm, chewy tannins that are silky and very polished. That palate is very clear and precise. Attractive, if chewy finish. Try after 2024." (4/6/2021)
95 Points - Vinous:
"The 2017 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is classy and elegant to the core. Medium in body and wonderfully translucent, the 2017 captures all of the finesse of this site. Naturally, the 2017 also shows the ripeness of the year, but it retains its sublime sense of poise. The 2017 Bricco delle Viole is one of the clear stand outs of the year." - Antonio Galloni (2/2021)
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- Only 14 bottles left - last call
Competitor's Price: $95.00 btl
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2017 Luigi Baudana
"Ceretta" Barolo DOCG
96 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This red boasts a beautiful balance between its cherry, strawberry, floral, eucalyptus and mineral aromas and flavors. Supple and elegant, despite the resonant tannins and lively acidity that boost the lingering aftertaste, with fine length. Don't think about pulling the cork for five years. Best from 2026 through 2048." - BS (Nov 30, 2021)
96 Points - James Suckling:
"This is really perfumed and enticing, offering intense floral and citrus character with some cherry. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and very reserved, with a long, racy finish. Fantastic depth of fruit here. Outstanding purity, too. Better in 2025." (5/28/2021)
96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"A sweet perfume lifts from the 2017 Barolo Cerretta, with fresh violets, kirsch, cinnamon, and sage. The palate is energetic with forward fruit through the mid-palate with persistence, with tea leaf and present but well-integrated tannins. The Cerretta displays the elegance that is possible within the 2017 vintage. Drink 2022-2040." (5/27/2021)
95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"A release of 3,000 bottles, the Luigi Baudana 2017 Barolo Cerretta is the most downplayed of these three wines and the least complicated from an aromatic point of view. A first wave of aromas is focused on wild rose and crushed flowers. More robust tones of ripe cherry, rusty earth and dark spice follow in time. This edition of Cerretta is surprisingly delicate and fine, going against almost everything we know about robust fruit from Serralunga d'Alba and the powerful 2017 vintage. The wine is counterintuitive in a way only Nebbiolo can be." - Monica Larner (6/17/2021)
95 Points - Vinous:
"A dark, somber wine, the 2017 Barolo Cerretta shows the more potent, brooding side of Serralunga. Black cherry, gravel, smoke, cured meats, cloves and menthol add to an impression of virile intensity and pure power. Readers will have to be patient here, but there is certainly a ton to look forward to. This is another impressive showing from Baudana and the Vajra family." - Antonio Galloni (2/2021)
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- Only 36 bottles left - last call
Competitor's Price: $110.00 btl
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