2022 Vajra, G. D. - Barolo Albe (750ml)

The name Albe, Italian for "dawns," refers to the three sunrises the Vajra family watches roll across their highest vineyards in the commune of Barolo each morning, one for each of the parcels that make up this blend. It's also G.D. Vajra's tribute to an older way of making Barolo, before the MGA system formalized single-vineyard bottlings in 2010, when the wine of the appellation was traditionally assembled from multiple sites to build complexity rather than showcase one place alone. The estate itself was founded in 1972 by Aldo Vajra, who took charge of the family's vineyards at just fifteen after his father was injured, secured one of the region's earliest organic certifications by 1971, and has since been joined by his wife, Milena, and their children, Giuseppe, Francesca, and Isidoro, at their base in Vergne, the highest hamlet in the Barolo zone.

Albe blends fruit from three high-elevation vineyards within the commune of Barolo, Coste di Vergne, Fossati, and La Volta, each with a different exposure ranging from south-southeast to southwest, sitting between 380 and 480 meters on Sant'Agata Fossil marl. The grapes are hand sorted multiple times before an extended maceration of around a month with gentle punch-downs and pump-overs, then the wine matures for roughly two to three years in large Slavonian oak casks before the final blend is assembled the following spring.

The wine shows wild strawberry, dried flower petals, citrus oil, and a cool hint of mint. The palate is medium-bodied, with a fine, chalky tannin grip and a clean, long finish. Approachable young yet capable of aging, it pairs well with roast poultry, charcuterie, or mushroom dishes.