2020 G.D. Vajra Barolo ‘Bricco Delle Viole’

Bricco delle Viole is the vineyard that taught us patience and naturally guided the style of our craft. – Aldo Vaira

Among the historical vineyards of Barolo, Bricco delle Viole is the highest and the closest to the Alps. It rises from 400 to 480 meters above sea level, on the Western ridge of the village. Its name, “Hill of Violets”, originates from the flowers that blossom early, thanks to the perfect south exposure. Up above the fogs, Bricco delle Viole enjoys the earliest sunrise and the last sunset every day.

Thanks to this pure light, a dramatic diuturnal temperature range and the age of its vines dating back to 1931, Bricco delle Viole generates a profound Barolo of bright aromatics, chiselled tannins and subtle minerality. 100% Nebbiolo. Bricco delle Viole MGA, Comune di Barolo.

In 2020, fruit was harvested over three days, on October 7th, 10th and 13th. Grapes were sorted manually three times: directly on the vine, as whole clusters on the sorting tables, and lastly as single berries after destemming. A traditional vinification was carried in custom-designed vertical tini, with gentle punch-downs and rinsing of the cap, followed by an extensive period of maceration under submerged cap (cappello sommerso) that lasted 57 days. Malolactic fermentation occurred in stainless steel in the following spring. 28 months of aging in large Slavonian casks of 25 and 50 hectolitres. Bottled on July 12th 2023.

2020 Bricco delle Viole is a wine of finesse and mystery. Enticing nose of blue violets, dried rose petals, kirsch, blood orange. The palate is elegant, driven by tapered energy and youthful tannins that promise a very long aging potential. Long lasting finish upholstered with whiffles of cherry, wild berries and a subtle minerality.

Rose petals, racy plums and cherries with subtle white pepper spices and mineral. The tight, full-bodied palate is grasped by fine, minerally textured tannins. Powerful, ample and vertical in the middle before a lengthy, mineral finish. Such a joy to taste now, but this would be better in two to three years. 96 points. Zekun Shuai, JamesSuckling.com Feb 2024

The G.D. Vajra 2020 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is a very pretty wine with brightness and delicate aromas that remain etched and defined. You get dried violet or lilac, tart cherry, cranberry, lavender essence, rosemary and other perfumed Mediterranean nuances. Bricco delle Viole finishes dry, and the tannins are on the powdery side, giving the wine medium weight and a lean mid-palate. 95 points. Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate April 2024

Dried flowers, chamomile, almond, cherry and orange peel, and quite spicy and exotic with it. It offers red fruit, blood orange, a smattering of dried herbs, a rusty and stony feel to tannin, some of that classic BdV ‘mineral’ inflection, bright red fruits, plenty of freshness and crunch to acidity, with a crushed rock finish of excellent length. It’s perhaps a little more drying in tannin than is usual, though it’s sure to age gracefully. 95 points. Gary Walsh, The Winefront May 2024