WTNs: G.D. Vajra

I had an opportunity to taste these wine Guisseppe Vajra today and thought I would share my impressions. I'll admit, this was a new producer to me, and I was quite taken with the wines.

G.D. Vajra Langhe Bianco 2008 - 100% Riesling, quite a surprise for me as I had never encountered Riesling in Piemonte before. Fresh nose of citrus peel and underripe peaches, slightest whisper of sweetness on the palate, mineral on the follow-through with some honeyed viscosity. Guisseppe said this wine shows the typical petrol touches with several years of bottle age. Rather unique and breathtaking. $40-ish

G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso 2007 - A blend of mostly Dolcetto, Barbera, and Nebbiolo, with small amounts of Freisa, Albarosso(?), and Pinot Noir. Simple and slightly reticent on the nose, a little more aeration may have done this one some good, or maybe not. Solid and well balanced, decent qpr. $15ish.

G.D. Vajra Dolcetto d'Alba "Coste & Fossati" 2007 - Single vineyard Dolcetto showing great color, intensity, finesse. Probably one of the classiest Dolcetto's I've had, Purple in the glass, without looking inky or overextracted, great nose of violets and ripe/tart fruits. Nice fine tannin structure and fresh finish. Excellent! $20-25

G.D. Vajra Barbera d'Alba Superiore 2006 - Made from grapes entirely from the Bricco delle Viole vineyard, this wine is dead sexy. Soaring aromatics, plum and wild red fruits, flowers, eucalyptus. Many barberas these days seems to be totally insubstantial and forgettable, or inky messy overoaked/overextracted brutes. This wine goes through an extended maceration, but never seems overly weighty. The color is translucent garnet, the palate is medium, the acidity is lively but not at all sharp. I think I'm in love. $25-35.

G.D. Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo 2007 - A very pretty wine, classic nebbiolo color, feels a bit young, even shy, like it wants to show me more, but It's not ready yet. $20-25

G.D. Vajra Barolo 2003 - Nice dark garnet color, ripe red and black fruits on the nose, with whiffs of earth and smoke, brooding almost. Dense, soft tannins. Good drinking now, not for the long term methinks. Just misses being great. $45-55

G.D Vajra Barolo 2004 - Now were talking...., intense aromas of rose petals, wild strawberries, fennel, damson. Full bodied, firm but very fine tannins, lengthy finish. Great drinking in the near term, I expect this will be phenomenal in several years. $50-60

I had an opportunity to taste these wine Guisseppe Vajra today and thought I would share my impressions. I'll admit, this was a new producer to me, and I was quite taken with the wines.

The wines are lovely and the prices are reasonable. This reminds me that I haven't had any in a while/too long!

Jon, great report. Thank you.

I am a fan of the house. The last bottle I had of the Barbera Superiore a few weeks ago (2004 vintage, note below) was in a great place and seemingly can go for a good while. My favorite, though, is the Barolo Bricco delle Viole. I have fond memories of great 98s and 99s but haven't tried any in several years.

2004 G.D. Vajra Barbera d’Alba Superiore. This Barbera has a nice savory-styled nose that features aromas of leather, tobacco leaf, bell pepper, rock quarry and fine dirt to go along with glossier elements of blue and black fruits. In the mouth, it is richly-textured but cool and smoothly-flowing. Sappy red and black berry fruit and dark chocolate flavors are carried along by a stony but juicy streak of acidity that cuts through the fine coating of tannins this possesses. It turns a touch sweeter and more cherry-fruited with the next glass, but holds onto that juicy quality, the sappy slippery flow and the good length. I am happy with this wine’s performance and surely feel it can go a while, too.

Thanks again,
Michael

I also liked the few Vajras that I have had. But one thing I wondered about was that in some edition or other of H. Johnson's Pocket Book Vajra was described as a modernist producer! Why?

Michael, your review of the '04 Barbera Superiore is making me thirsty for more.....

Otto, Guisseppe told me that they don't consider themselves "Modernist" or "Traditionalist". If they feel a Barrique is called for they will use it. If in another vintage they feel Big slavonian casks are more appropriate, then they use them. Perhaps because they don't adhere slavishly to tradition, Mr Johnson decides they are "Modernist", but to my palate the wines were gloriously traditional.

[James Roscoe]

Jon, I hate your guts! Nice notes. Where can those of us in the DC area pick up some of this?

I tasted the '03 and '04 Barolo with Mrs. Vajra last year at the winery. I was pleasantly surprised by the balance of the 2003, and enjoyed the 2004. Brought a bottle of each home with us.

Any opinions of the 2005's??