Winemaker Notes
This fine Barbera is produced from six different vineyards located in the three communes of Sinio, Novello and Barolo. Because of the different locations, harvest can last up to three weeks in order to pick each parcel at optimum maturity. Ageing takes place in 50% stainless steel vats and 50% French oak barrels (20% new oak).
The result is a wine with a vibrant dark ruby/violet color possessing a deep concentration of dark berry and cherry aromatics tinged w citrus, spice and dried herbs. Quite concentrated on the palate, it maintains crisp acidity and ripe, pliable tannins. Very food friendly.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The steel-fermented G.D. Vajra 2019 Barbera d'Alba shows nicely, with dark fruit, pressed blackberry and dark cherry. This is a lovely and equally refreshing wine with mid-weight texture and bright acidity to tie it all together.
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Wine Spectator
A beam of black cherry and blackberry fruit is woven finely into the refined fabric of this red. Fresh and succulent, ending with a mouthwatering impression. Drink now.
Friendly and approachable, Barbera produces wines in a wide range of styles, from youthful, fresh and fruity to serious, structured and age-worthy. Piedmont is the most famous source of Barbera; those from Asti and Alba garner the most praise. Barbera actually can adapt to many climates and enjoys success in some New World regions. Somm Secret—In the past it wasn’t common or even accepted to age Barbera in oak but today both styles—oaked and unoaked—abound and in fact most Piedmontese producers today produce both styles.
An historic village situated right in between the famous regions of Barolo and Barbaresco, Alba is also the name for the larger wine region surrounding the village.
In a sense, “Alba” is a catch-all phrase, and includes the declassified Nebbiolo wines made in Barolo and Barbaresco, as well as the Nebbiolo grown just outside of these regions’ borders. In fact, Nebbiolo d’Alba is a softer, less tannic and more fruit-forward wine ready to drink within just a couple years of bottling. It is a great place to start if you want to begin to understand the grape. Likewise, the even broader category of Langhe Nebbiolo offers approachable and value-driven options as well.
Barbera, planted alongside Nebbiolo in the surrounding hills, and referred to as Barbera d’Alba, takes on a more powerful and concentrated personality compared to its counterparts in Asti.
Dolcetto is ubiquitous here and, known as Dolcetto d'Alba, can be found casually served alongside antipasti on the tables of Alba’s cafes and wine bars.
Not surprisingly, given its location, Alba is recognized as one of Italy’s premiere culinary destinations and is the home of the fall truffle fair, which attracts visitors from worldwide every year.