Product Description:
Sunrise in a glass—classic Barolo from three prized sites. A tribute to the traditional masters of Barolo, Albe brings together fruit from Fossati, La Volta, and Coste di Vergne. These high-elevation vineyards offer a vibrant, aromatic take on Nebbiolo. The 2021 shows bright fruit, floral lift, and a lively palate wrapped in fine tannins. Traditional vinification with long macerations and aging in large Slavonian oak captures the timeless spirit of Barolo.
The 2021 Barolo release from G.D. Vajra captures a vintage marked by energy, finesse and breathtaking site expression. Despite a challenging growing season, the Vaira family has crafted a quartet of single-cru wines, plus their beloved Albe, that not only survive the vintage—they define it. These are Barolos with precision, lift, and the hallmark purity that has made Vajra a name revered in Langhe and beyond.
Each cuvée tells a distinct story of site: Albe merges three classic vineyards; Coste di Rose glows with floral lift and saline cut; Ravera brings tension and grip from its complex soils; and Bricco delle Viole remains the jewel—high, breezy, and utterly refined. Together, they form a compelling portrait of a vintage that’s already been declared one for the ages.
Maker
G.D. Vajra is one of Barolo’s most respected family-run estates, founded in 1972 by Aldo Vaira in the village of Vergne, the highest commune in the appellation. What began as a reluctant summer on the family farm turned into Aldo’s lifelong vocation, and by 1971 he had adopted organic farming — a first for Barolo at the time. Over the decades, the estate has grown to around 80 hectares, producing Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, and rare plantings such as Riesling, all farmed with the same attention to detail. Today, Aldo and his wife Milena work alongside their children, Giuseppe, Francesca, and Isidoro, blending tradition, resilience, and quiet innovation into every vintage.
Philosophy
For the Vajra family, winegrowing is an act of care — for the land, the vines, and the people who will share the wine. The vineyards are treated as living ecosystems, with soils protected through cover crops, manual farming, and an avoidance of heavy machinery. Certified organic since the early 1970s, the estate’s approach nurtures biodiversity and expresses the individuality of each site.
In the cellar, the aim is not to shape the wine but to let it speak. Grapes are handled gently, macerations are long and unhurried, and maturation takes place in large neutral Slavonian oak to preserve purity of fruit and the fine aromatics of each variety. The result is a range of wines that capture the bright perfume, precise texture, and age-worthy structure of Barolo and its neighbouring hills, staying true to the Vajra family’s belief in authenticity over artifice.
Tasting Notes
NOSE
– Bright and floral
Rose petal, crushed red berries, orange peel and a whisper of tobacco.
PALATE
– Energetic and vibrant
Cherry, raspberry, sweet spice and a core of juicy acidity.
FINISH
– Velvety and lifted
Polished tannins trail off into a red-fruited, aromatic finish.
Reviews & Accolades “An enormously versatile expression of Nebbiolo, with an affordable price, that offers more value for your money than most Barolos out there.” – Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, 95 Points
“Cherry, raspberry, liquorice... A bit of a dark horse here, with good potential given some time in the cellar.” – Gary Walsh, The Winefront, 94+ Points
“Approachable now, but best in 2026.” – Jacobo Garcia-Andrade Llamas, JamesSuckling.com, 94 Points
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Nebbiolo
Country - Italy
Region - Barolo, Piedmont
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%
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