2020 G.D. Vajra Barolo Coste Di Rose DOCG, Piedmont

Clear ruby with a slight garnet shimmer. Clear and memorable, opens with notes of dried roses, then some cloves, plus lots of plums. Juicy on the palate, has very good tension, salty, present, fine-meshed tannins at the core, builds up over a long time.

96 points falstaff.com

Coste di Rose is a high-altitude single vineyard that sits in between Cannubi and Bussia.

Intense colour with good tints of purple; intense cherry and spice aromas, balsamic herbs and violets. A more complex, rich and mouth-filling wine than Vajra’s entry-level Albe Barolo. Fleshy extract, a warmth of alcohol and soft tannins. Has impact and length, sweetness at its core. Delicious wine (Cork)

95 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

The G.D. Vajra Barolo Coste di Rose DOCG is a refined and perfumed expression of Nebbiolo from one of Barolo’s most distinctive sites. G.D. Vajra, founded by Aldo Vajra in 1972 and now run by his children Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro, is celebrated for producing wines of elegance and precision that capture the individuality of each cru. Coste di Rose, a relatively small vineyard near the village of Barolo itself, is prized for its sandy soils and gentle slopes, which yield wines of aromatic lift and silky texture.

At about 250 metres altitude, the Coste di Rose vineyard is unique for its predominance of fine sand mixed with clay and limestone. This terroir accentuates the floral and red-fruited character of Nebbiolo, while still giving enough structure for ageing. Grapes are hand-harvested, undergo a long and gentle maceration to extract colour and tannin, and are then matured in large Slavonian oak casks, a Vajra hallmark, to preserve purity and finesse.

In the glass, the wine has a radiant garnet colour. The nose is aromatic and seductive, with rose petal, violet and wild herbs layered over red cherry, raspberry and pomegranate. Subtle notes of anise, menthol and sweet spice emerge with air. On the palate it is medium-bodied and graceful, with juicy red fruits framed by fine, polished tannins and lively acidity. The texture is supple and elegant, and the finish is long, savoury and mineral, reflecting the sandy soils of the cru.

Food pairings highlight its perfume and elegance: veal with sage, duck breast with cherries, roast pork, or vegetarian options such as mushroom risotto, truffle tagliatelle or roasted beetroot with walnuts. While already appealing in youth, this wine has the balance and structure to cellar for 12 to 15 years, developing notes of dried roses, tobacco and forest floor with time.