G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole 2020

98 points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "A ripe ruby color, the 2020 Barolo Bricco Delle Viole is incredible on the nose. Initially lightly smoky on opening, it needs a little time to reveal notes of candied roses, wild raspberries, tea leaf, and sweet sage. Medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannins, a balanced, compact nature, and a velvety texture, it is nicely concentrated, yet with a weightless feel. This is one of the most complete wines I’ve tasted from Vjara to date. It has depth, but with a defined feel, and is long on the palate, with an exceptional finish. It’s going to have a wide drinking window but age at a very slow rate over the next two to three decades. Drink 2024-2054 (May 2024)"

97 points Falstaff Guide: "Clear ruby colour with garnet shimmer. Appealing nose with rich notes of plums, raspberries and roses. Juicy and appealing on the attack and on the palate, grippy tannins in many fine layers, with a fine textured finish. (Oct 2024)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "Elegant and graceful, with a silky texture, this red evokes strawberry, cherry, rose, mint and mineral aromas and flavors. Firmly structured and lively, with balance and a resonant, energetic finish. Shows superb harmony, finesse and length. Best from 2027 through 2048. (Nov 2024)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2020 Barolo Bricco delle Viole, Vajra's flagship, is very fine. Dark cherry, kirsch, blood orange, spice and lavender are nicely amplified. The 2020 is gracious and elegant, but its youthful Nebbiolo tannins will require some time to soften. The 2020 is another wine that captures my keen interests with its sublime balance. I would be thrilled to own it. Drink 2026-2040 (Jan 2024)"

96 points James Suckling: "Rose petals, racy plums and cherries with subtle white pepper spices and mineral. The tight, full-bodied palate is grasped by fine, minerally textured tannins. Powerful, ample and vertical in the middle before a lengthy, mineral finish. Such a joy to taste now, but this would be better in two to three years. (Jan 2024)"

96 points & 'Cellar Selection' Wine Enthusiast: "The nose of this Barolo is exhilarating, with spiced cherries, damson alongside warmed violets in blossom. Notes of leather, truffle, and forest floor add depth that keep flowing from the glass. The palate is a panoply of cherries in all their glory: fresh, macerated, preserved, you name it, it is there. Accompanied by sweet tea with cola and sassafras that lead to supple tannins that provide needed structure without overpowering the wine.Lifted acidity keeps each sip pure and fresh, making the bottle empty too soon. Drink Now - 2045 (Sep 2024)"

95 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "The G.D. Vajra 2020 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is a very pretty wine with brightness and delicate aromas that remain etched and defined. You get dried violet or lilac, tart cherry, cranberry, lavender essence, rosemary and other perfumed Mediterranean nuances. Bricco delle Viole finishes dry, and the tannins are on the powdery side, giving the wine medium weight and a lean mid-palate. Drink 2026-2043 (Apr 2024)"

95 points Kerin O'Keefe: "Fragrant and refined, the G.D. Vajra 2020 Bricco delle Viole has heady aromas of wild berry, fragrant purple flower and camphor. It’s polished and savory, with great red cherry and raspberry fruit flavors accented by spicy notes of ground clove and white pepper. Tightly knit, fine-grained tannins offer seamless support. Drink 2028–2035. (Feb 2024)"

95 points Decanter: "Historically, Bricco delle Viole has the highest elevation of Barolo and remains the highest of the Vajra bottlings. Picked over three days, which is quite tight for GD Vajra, The Bricco seems advanced and mature already. Giuseppe chalks this up to the vintage. The wine vines have a roundness and early maturity from 1931, 1949 and 1968 plantings. Smoky violets and crushed slate mark the aromatics. A palate of dried strawberries and purple plum flesh offer fruitiness, followed by minerality and lift from crushed red stones, and mace and clove deliver a sweet spiciness to the finish. Drinking window 2024-2039 (Mar 2024)"