2015 BAROLO GD Vajra Bricco delle Viole. Piedmont, Italy

Barolo is just south of Alba, which itself is south of Turin. The Langhe hills produce Italy’s most revered red wines from the Nebbiolo grape. Aldo Vajra’s estate is at Vergne, close to the town of Barolo itself. They have 60 hectares in total.

100% Nebbiolo, matured in large Slovenian oak barrels for around 42 months (just a tiny proportion of smaller French barrels).

Bricco delle Viole is their flagship vineyard (of 4.8ha) and top selection. Grown on fossilised, marl soils at an elevation between 400-480 metres, with vines first planted back in 1949, this cool climate site contributes directly to the elegant and refined Barolo style that Vajra are rightly regarded for. The late, and highly regarded, wine writer Steven Spurrier aptly described this wine as “The Lafite (Rothschild) of Barolo”.