G.D. Vajra
Albe Barolo Nebbiolo
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
#AgedWineTuesday
Pretty color of ruby with a wide brick rim.
Nose of red fruits, tobacco leaf, light wood, spices, coffee, black pepper, vegetables and herbs.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with raspberries, fresh cherries, spices, light oak and espresso.
Short finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.
This is a nice 11 year old Barolo.
A little tight right out of the bottle, and needed 90 minutes of airtime.
Fruity on the nose and earthy on the palate. Elegant and soft.
Still feels very young and would be nice to revisit it in a few years.
Not as complex as I expected it to be, but showed a beautiful nose once it opened up.
Not balanced at this point, and a little tart for me. Could be this specific bottle though.
100% Nebbiolo grapes were aged in large Slavonian oak barrels for 30 months.
14% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$50.
#AgedWineTuesday
Pretty color of ruby with a wide brick rim.
Nose of red fruits, tobacco leaf, light wood, spices, coffee, black pepper, vegetables and herbs.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with raspberries, fresh cherries, spices, light oak and espresso.
Short finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.
This is a nice 11 year old Barolo.
A little tight right out of the bottle, and needed 90 minutes of airtime.
Fruity on the nose and earthy on the palate. Elegant and soft.
Still feels very young and would be nice to revisit it in a few years.
Not as complex as I expected it to be, but showed a beautiful nose once it opened up.
Not balanced at this point, and a little tart for me. Could be this specific bottle though.
100% Nebbiolo grapes were aged in large Slavonian oak barrels for 30 months.
14% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$50.
By now I have run out of superlatives for Vajra, from whom you will find some of the finest, artisan wines being made in Piedmont today. At a time when prices for so many wines are skyrocketing out of control, Vajra’s prices are a breath of fresh air. The Barolos are made in contemporary traditional style, with longish fermentations and aging in cask. Vajra’s 2013 Barolo Albe is beautifully perfumed, sensual, and expressive in this vintage. The style of the Albe has always favored a more succulent expression of Nebbiolo yet there is an element of restraint in the 2013 that is hugely appealing. The Albe may be the single best value in Barolo today. As for the 2013, don't miss it! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb 2017)
By now I have run out of superlatives for Vajra, from whom you will find some of the finest, artisan wines being made in Piedmont today. At a time when prices for so many wines are skyrocketing out of control, Vajra’s prices are a breath of fresh air. The Barolos are made in contemporary traditional style, with longish fermentations and aging in cask. Vajra’s 2013 Barolo Albe is beautifully perfumed, sensual, and expressive in this vintage. The style of the Albe has always favored a more succulent expression of Nebbiolo yet there is an element of restraint in the 2013 that is hugely appealing. The Albe may be the single best value in Barolo today. As for the 2013, don't miss it! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb 2017)
Tart cherries, sanguine, thyme, clove, dried leaves, and organic earth. High acid, high astringent tannins, full body. Low concentration of rusty garnet.
Tart cherries, sanguine, thyme, clove, dried leaves, and organic earth. High acid, high astringent tannins, full body. Low concentration of rusty garnet.
2 people found it helpfulFeb 3rd, 2018
Great 2013 entry level wine. So enjoyable smells of the cellars in Langhe during harvest
Great 2013 entry level wine. So enjoyable smells of the cellars in Langhe during harvest
1 person found it helpfulFeb 22nd, 2019
Vajra's Barolo Albe is one of the great value Barolos. The 2010 was especially fabulous. I had high hopes for the 2013 as it was a great vintage, like the 2010. It's very good but not at that level. Mid to light weight but with good power and an ability to sustain in the palate. It would probably be even more expressive with some more air. As Barolos go this is as good as it gets for around $40.
Vajra's Barolo Albe is one of the great value Barolos. The 2010 was especially fabulous. I had high hopes for the 2013 as it was a great vintage, like the 2010. It's very good but not at that level. Mid to light weight but with good power and an ability to sustain in the palate. It would probably be even more expressive with some more air. As Barolos go this is as good as it gets for around $40.
1 person found it helpfulAug 15th, 2018
Light, expressed fruit and pigment with a touch of wet mineral finesse. Ever so slightly accented acidity on that back palate and beautiful, perfumed retrogusto. A favorite wine and a gorgeous vintage.
Light, expressed fruit and pigment with a touch of wet mineral finesse. Ever so slightly accented acidity on that back palate and beautiful, perfumed retrogusto. A favorite wine and a gorgeous vintage.
I thought 7 years would be long enough for this wine, now I think I was wrong as this was the most tannic wine I’ve ever had. Medium ruby. Blackberry, plum, pepper.
I thought 7 years would be long enough for this wine, now I think I was wrong as this was the most tannic wine I’ve ever had. Medium ruby. Blackberry, plum, pepper.
Aug 30th, 2020
Fabulous & approachable at seven years. Nose developing tertiary/pre-mature nebbiolo aroma, mid-palate is lovely, well-integrated; tannins on the finish display brash youthfulness with a long life ahead. Delicious. #vajra
Fabulous & approachable at seven years. Nose developing tertiary/pre-mature nebbiolo aroma, mid-palate is lovely, well-integrated; tannins on the finish display brash youthfulness with a long life ahead. Delicious. #vajra
May 26th, 2020