The Wines:
Barolo Albe DOCG 2017
Winemaker's notes: "Our tribute to the Masters of tradition, Albe is the blend of high elevation Barolo vineyards. As these blocks lay on various slopes with different exposures, we have the chance to see three sunrises (Albe) every day. 2017 is a radiant vintage with beautiful early balance and yet great aging potential. The 2017 Barolo DOCG Albe aged for 18 months in large Slavonian oak casks of 40, 50, and 75 hL. The wines were racked once, in the summer of 2018, and blended right before bottling. 2017 Barolo Albe opens up with a bright, expressive nose. Red currant, cherries, macerated strawberries, and mint are interlaced with floral tones and hints of rosehip, rhubarb, red fig, hawthorn, lavender, and licorice. The palate is generous, layered, and youthful, with ripe tannins and a classic finish on tones of marasca cherry."
Barbera d'Alba DOC 2019
The 2019 Barbera D’Alba has a deep purple color. The nose is vibrant and combines vivid red and black fruits with sweet spices and aromatic herbs. Hints of anise and graphite add complexity to the wine. The palate is succulent and incredibly layered, yet bright with elegant acidity, strawberries, cherries, a whiffle of white pepper, and a mineral long finish. egg pasta, pizza, white and red meats, and vegetable-based dishes.
Dolcetto d'Alba DOC 2020
The 2020 Dolcetto d’Alba has a lively deep purple color. The nose opens with tones of wild berries, mulberry, hints of white pepper and sweet spices, and fresh thyme. The palate is bursting with blue fruits and fresh plums, with a gentle tart touch that smoothens up beautifully with food. The finish is elegant with a lovely almond whiffle. A true food-friendly wine that enhances egg pasta, pizza, white and red meats, and vegetable-based dishes.
The Producer: Azienda Agricola Cirelli
The estate of G.D. Vajra is situated in Vergne, the highest village in the Commune of Barolo. Its vineyards are planted with Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, and Barbera at heights of 350-400 meters, which result in distinctive and aromatic wines. The Vajra family is a group of dedicated, passionate winegrowers, who are also grounded and sensitive to the human role in winemaking. Their philosophy remains faithful to the traditional and authentic wines of Piemonte, and in essence, they regard themselves as the instruments that enable nature and the environment full self-expression through their wines. (photo cred: Vajra)
In 1971, Aldo Vajra, then still a university student, was one of the earliest to adopt organic farming in Piemonte. Vineyards have been nurtured, and soil preserved, by grassing and spontaneous cover crop for almost 50 years now. They are sustainable and organic certified. With an incredible ratio of manual work per hectare, farming at Vajra is a labor of love and “recipe-free” attention. Intense research is also placed into monitoring and improving the biodiversity of both flora and fauna not just in the vineyards, but also in the winery fields and forests.
The Region: Piedmont