95 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "Do you have a favorite pair of jeans or a favorite dress that you keep in your closet for all occasions? That's the equivalent of this wine. The G.D. Vajra 2021 Barolo Albe is an enormously versatile expression of Nebbiolo, with an affordable price, that offers more value for your money than most Barolos out there. The bouquet focuses on dark berry, pressed flower and crushed stone. It offers good sharpness over broad lines. The mouthfeel is medium-plus in texture and it closes with silky, accessible tannins. Fruit comes from three cru sites: Coste di Vergne, Fossati and La Volta. Drink: 2025-2040. (1/30/25)"
94 points Bruce Sanderson (Wine Spectator): "An elegant style, this red delivers strawberry, raspberry, cherry, rose and eucalyptus aromas and flavors. Supple, with a light grain to its tannins, this builds discreetly to the lingering finish. Best from 2027 through 2045. (12/15/25)"
94 points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "The 2021 Barolo Albe continues to be one of the best values the region has to offer and punches far above its weight class in this vintage. The nose is ripe with fresh, layered notes of pure red cherries, fresh flowers, anise, and refined spices. The palate is fantastic and pure, with a long finish. This is one of the best vintages of this wine I have tasted to date, revealing great definition of structure and a refreshing feel that makes this a fantastic go-to option to check in on again and again as it ages. I would snap these up and get a case or two if you can. Drink over the coming 15-20 years. Drink: 2025-2045. (5/1/25)"
94 points Kerin O'Keefe: "The 2021 Albe is a fantastic Barolo, starting with its alluring fragrance of red berries, dark spices, dog rose and a balsamic whiffs of camphor. The palate shows youthful tension tempered by succulent raspberries, orange peel, star anise and crushed mint framed in taut, fine-grained tannins. Made with Nebbiolo organically grown in high-altitude vineyards, it has bright acidity that keeps it energized. Drink: 2029–2036. Alcohol 14.5%. (Jan 2025)"
94 points Jacobo Garcia-Andrade Llamas (JamesSuckling.com): "Violets with dried flowers and hints of blueberries and menthol. This has a juicy profile of fruit that complements a big tannin structure that concludes with a firm, tightly wound finish and just a touch of shy fruit. Approachable now, but best in 2026. (1/20/25)"
93 points Michaela Morris (Decanter): "This multi-MGA Barolo is assembled from the estate’s younger vines, though the average age is a respectably mature 30 years. Winemaker Giuseppe Vaira calls it a ‘blend with immediate drinkability’. Indeed, it is irresistible now with its becoming and animated scents of pepper-inflected strawberry, dried violet and crushed allspice. The palate is silky and refined, with crunchy red fruit clarity. Layered tannins support it without overtaking – very seamlessly knit. It promises to divulge even more with just a bit more time in the bottle. Drinking Window: 2026-2036. (1/6/25)"
93 points Ian D'Agata Wine Review: "Good full red. Raspberry, red cherry and licorice aromas, plus a complicating whiff of dried flowers on the forward but intense nose. Offers sweet red and dark berry flavours and a hint of sweet licorice and mocha and a polished midweight frame. Turns tangier on the lively finish, which features persistent echoes of brisk berry and red cherry. Vajra’s 2021 Albe is open-knit and forward as always, but blessed with sneaky concentration. There really aren’t too many Barolos like it in the whole denomination: it is arguably the single best-buy Barolo of all in almost every vintage. The Vajra family hit the bullseye with this wine from day 1, and it has never disappointed. Just excellent stuff. Drinking window: 2027-2037. (5/9/25)"
93 points Raffaele Vecchione (WinesCritic.com): "Cherries, raspberries, currants, pomegranate, lemon peel, and chopped ginger are the main aromas of this authentic and straightforward Barolo. Medium-bodied, with very fine-grained tannins and a joyful, essential finish that makes pleasantness its main weapon. Splendid right from the start. (Nov 2024)"
94 points Bruce Sanderson (Wine Spectator): "An elegant style, this red delivers strawberry, raspberry, cherry, rose and eucalyptus aromas and flavors. Supple, with a light grain to its tannins, this builds discreetly to the lingering finish. Best from 2027 through 2045. (12/15/25)"
94 points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "The 2021 Barolo Albe continues to be one of the best values the region has to offer and punches far above its weight class in this vintage. The nose is ripe with fresh, layered notes of pure red cherries, fresh flowers, anise, and refined spices. The palate is fantastic and pure, with a long finish. This is one of the best vintages of this wine I have tasted to date, revealing great definition of structure and a refreshing feel that makes this a fantastic go-to option to check in on again and again as it ages. I would snap these up and get a case or two if you can. Drink over the coming 15-20 years. Drink: 2025-2045. (5/1/25)"
94 points Kerin O'Keefe: "The 2021 Albe is a fantastic Barolo, starting with its alluring fragrance of red berries, dark spices, dog rose and a balsamic whiffs of camphor. The palate shows youthful tension tempered by succulent raspberries, orange peel, star anise and crushed mint framed in taut, fine-grained tannins. Made with Nebbiolo organically grown in high-altitude vineyards, it has bright acidity that keeps it energized. Drink: 2029–2036. Alcohol 14.5%. (Jan 2025)"
94 points Jacobo Garcia-Andrade Llamas (JamesSuckling.com): "Violets with dried flowers and hints of blueberries and menthol. This has a juicy profile of fruit that complements a big tannin structure that concludes with a firm, tightly wound finish and just a touch of shy fruit. Approachable now, but best in 2026. (1/20/25)"
93 points Michaela Morris (Decanter): "This multi-MGA Barolo is assembled from the estate’s younger vines, though the average age is a respectably mature 30 years. Winemaker Giuseppe Vaira calls it a ‘blend with immediate drinkability’. Indeed, it is irresistible now with its becoming and animated scents of pepper-inflected strawberry, dried violet and crushed allspice. The palate is silky and refined, with crunchy red fruit clarity. Layered tannins support it without overtaking – very seamlessly knit. It promises to divulge even more with just a bit more time in the bottle. Drinking Window: 2026-2036. (1/6/25)"
93 points Ian D'Agata Wine Review: "Good full red. Raspberry, red cherry and licorice aromas, plus a complicating whiff of dried flowers on the forward but intense nose. Offers sweet red and dark berry flavours and a hint of sweet licorice and mocha and a polished midweight frame. Turns tangier on the lively finish, which features persistent echoes of brisk berry and red cherry. Vajra’s 2021 Albe is open-knit and forward as always, but blessed with sneaky concentration. There really aren’t too many Barolos like it in the whole denomination: it is arguably the single best-buy Barolo of all in almost every vintage. The Vajra family hit the bullseye with this wine from day 1, and it has never disappointed. Just excellent stuff. Drinking window: 2027-2037. (5/9/25)"
93 points Raffaele Vecchione (WinesCritic.com): "Cherries, raspberries, currants, pomegranate, lemon peel, and chopped ginger are the main aromas of this authentic and straightforward Barolo. Medium-bodied, with very fine-grained tannins and a joyful, essential finish that makes pleasantness its main weapon. Splendid right from the start. (Nov 2024)"
| Product SKU | 356074 |
| Producer | G.D. Vajra |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| SubRegion | Barolo DOCG |
| Varietal | Nebbiolo |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | 14.5% |
| Ships To |
