2024 Vajra, G.D. - Langhe DOC Rosso (750ml)

G.D. Vajra farms Bricco delle Viole, the highest vineyard cru within the commune of Barolo, land the family has worked since the 1880s. Aldo Vajra took over the estate as a young man in the late 1960s and pushed it toward organic farming decades before it became common practice, while also reviving native grape varieties nearly lost from the Langhe. Based in the hamlet of Vergne, the estate remains family-run today, guided by that same commitment to place and to Piedmont's traditional vines.

Langhe Rosso is a blend of native red grapes that changes composition with every vintage; in 2024 it leans on Nebbiolo and Dolcetto, with smaller amounts of Barbera, Freisa, Albarossa, and rare heirloom varieties Slarina and Chatus. Fruit comes from organically farmed vineyards across the Langhe hills, including Barolo, La Morra, Novello, and Serralunga d'Alba, picked in stages between early September and late October to catch each variety at its peak. Each lot ferments separately in vertical vats with gentle punchdowns, finishing with a spontaneous malolactic before the wine rests for several months mainly in stainless steel.

The 2024 shows violet-tinged red color and an aromatic mix of fresh flowers, red and dark fruit, hay, and tobacco. On the palate, bright berries and a graphite-like minerality carry through a medium body, with soft tannins and a balanced finish. It's an easy match for pasta with meat ragù, grilled sausages, or a plate of aged pecorino.