Wine Advisor
G.D. Vajra, Barolo Bricco delle Viole 2012
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
This Barolo from the high-performing Bricco Delle Viole cru enjoys a long tradition as a historic Robert Parker Wine Advocate favorite. However, I am less enthusiastic about the 2012 Barolo Bricco Delle Viole. The bouquet is heavy with ripe aromas of blackberry and strawberry jam that prove difficult to move past. The overall effect lacks the profound depth and nuanced intensity of more balanced vintages. This Barolo shows some mild sweetness in the mouth with soft, smooth tannins.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2012 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is pure class. A decidedly sensual, inviting Bricco delle Viole, the 2012 fleshes out in the glass with an effortless, inviting personality that is impossible to resist. Deep red cherry and plum notes open up first, followed by the classic floral notes that are so typical of this site. In 2012, the Bricco delle Viole is quite forward and fruit-driven, with essentially none of the angular contours that are typical when the wine is young. All of that means the 2012 will deliver immense pleasure pretty much upon release. There is so much to like here. The only real question is whether the 2012 will shut down in bottle or not. This is another addictively delicious Barolo from the Vajra family.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2012 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is pure class. A decidedly sensual, inviting Bricco delle Viole, the 2012 fleshes out in the glass with an effortless, inviting personality that is impossible to resist. Deep red cherry and plum notes open up first, followed by the classic floral notes that are so typical of this site. In 2012, the Bricco delle Viole is quite forward and fruit-driven, with essentially none of the angular contours that are typical when the wine is young. All of that means the 2012 will deliver immense pleasure pretty much upon release. There is so much to like here. The only real question is whether the 2012 will shut down in bottle or not. This is another addictively delicious Barolo from the Vajra family.
About the Producer
GD Vajra was born out of a revolutionary spirit. In 1968, 15-year-old Aldo Vaira was evicted to his estate in Barolo after becoming involved in political protests. Aldo's youthful energy soon turned to agriculture, and within a few years he had taken over the family estate. GD Vajra exemplified this revolutionary spirit when it became the first winery in the Barolo region to adopt organic farming in 1971. In addition, they were the first to plant Riesling in 1985. Vajra is the champion of some of Piedmont's less popular native grape varieties, including Dolcetto, Barbera and Freisa. They also make three single-vineyard Barolo wines, including the incredible Bricco delle Viole vineyard, which at 1,500 feet is one of the highest in the commune of Barolo. Today Aldo, his wife Milena and his children Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro still run the estate on organic principles. The soils here are sedimentary and most of the vineyards are in what I like to call the Tortonian valley which is actually the valley between the Bricco delle Viole area and the Barolo area at the foot of the hill and then another part of the area The side valley is Castiglione Falletto.
