Aldo and Milena Vaira established G.D.Vajra in 1972 with some of the best vineyards in the Langhe. In total they own 25 hectares of vines with a further 10 hectares contracted for their production. They produce on average 100,000 bottles a year. Aldo Vajra and his children Giuseppe, Francesca and Isidoro aim to make wines that express the terroir of their vineyards, which are located in the Vergne zone of Barolo. The wines reflect their maker’s highly individual and personal style, they exhibit great nuance, elegance, and understatement, just like the man himself.

The fruit comes from our young vines in Barolo, Novello, Sinio and Bricco Bertone. The grapes are handpicked early in the morning so as to capture their quintessential character. Vinification is long and extremely gentle in order to retain lift and tension in this wine. Nebbiolo is usually harvested between the second half of September and the beginning of October. Picking decisions are individual to each site, and we sometimes opt for multiple passages to respect the diversity of each vine. Fermentation lasts for an average of 15-20 days in vertical vats, and is followed by spontaneous malolactic conversion. Our Langhe Nebbiolo is usually aged for 8 to 14 months. It is a widerange, in order to respect the uniqueness of each vintage and patiently wait for the optimal bottling time. Most of the ageing is carried out in stainless-steel vats, with a minor fraction of the wine being matured in neutral oak - but only when needed.

Cherry and raspberry, some floral perfume and spice, something else here too, kind of hard to pin down, maybe carob and almond, not that it matters. Medium-bodied, red fruits with a little spice and blood orange, a fine dusty feel to tannin, with a bright finish of good length. Freshness and energy here, and all up a nice drink offering plenty of Nebbiolo character.  Tasted: Nov 2025; Alcohol: 13.5%; Price: $57.00; Closure: Diam; Drink: 2025-2031; Rated: 93 Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front