G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole 2021

98+ points Ian D'Agata Wine Review: "This is stunning: over the years, I have gotten to know the Vajra family well, and even though I am used to the amount of passion, hard work, and talent they are blessed with, once in a while even I am surprised by something they have come up with that’s even better than usual. The 2019 Bricco delle Viole is a case in point. Good full red. Offers very pretty, penetrating aromas of perfumed violets, then turns more brooding, with peppery and unusually gravelly strokes to its nuances of mostly black fruit. Also powerful and brooding in the mouth, with a dark fruit personality, that is nicely complicated by hints of bay leaf, incense, minerals, licorice and tar. Finishes long and very smooth, though with noteworthy tannic backbone. Needs to spend some time in a good cellar, but this drop-dead gorgeous Barolo is destined for even greater things with the appropriate amount of cellaring. Best after 2030. Drinking window: 2030-2041. (May 2025)"

98 points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "The 2021 Barolo Bricco Delle Viole is more refined and complete at this tasting, with more depth than the Coste delle Rose, exhibiting notes of raspberry liqueur, pressed flowers, sweet herbs, and fresh earth. A very pure and well-balanced vintage for this wine, it really shines with exceptional detail, offering even tannins and a balanced, seamless structure throughout. It feels as though this wine will offer the broadest window for enjoyment, thanks to its purity and length, which are quite profound. Drink over the coming decades. In the cellar, it underwent 51 days of submerged cap maceration, followed by 24 months of cask aging before being bottled. Drink 2025-2045 (May 2025)"

97 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "The organic G.D. Vajra 2021 Barolo Bricco delle Viole first shows a fragile side, but it eventually rolls onto much greater momentum and focus as it opens in the glass. This is always one of my favorite wines from this excellent producer, and I love it especially thanks to its fine nuances of redcurrant, pressed flower and something a little savory like peat moss. There is a hint of ashy stone or brimstone. All of these little details emerge with terrific sharpness in an epic vintage such as 2021. Fruit comes from a seven-hectare plot at 400 to 480 meters in elevation on Sant'Agata marl soils with marine fossils. Drink 2027-2045 (Jan 2025)"

97 points/'Collectable' Wine Spectator: "This red is rich and succulent, displaying cherry, raspberry, earth, leather and eucalyptus flavors. A mineral note emerges as this builds to the long, red fruit– and rose hip-stained finish. Best from 2028 through 2046. 1,250 cases made, 480 cases imported. (Dec 2025)"

97 points/'Cellar Selection' Wine Enthusiast: "Great wines evoke emotions along with firing the senses. This wine hits the soul like Sappho's sanctuary, "where cold water ripples and roses bloom everywhere," making you want to feel more, express more, share more. This is the true essence of wine, and like Sappho's verses, it reveals its beauty layer by layer just as this wine opens with aromas of boysenberry jam mingling with sour cherries, hints of licorice root and allspice, all dusted with rose petals. The palate is pure elegance, charming and flirtatious enough to give you butterflies, as savory notes and subtle dried orange peel weave through red fruits and lifted acidity. This is purity in a bottle. Drink Now - 2050 (Nov 2025)"

97 points Raffaele Vecchione (WinesCritic.com): "Lively and with a delicate and persuasive sensory profile, it alternates notes of hawthorn, gardenia, magnolia, lychee, wild strawberries, cherries, lemon peel, sandalwood, patchouli, chamomile, and green mandarin juice. The tannins are excellently extracted and skillfully softened, and the finish is genuine, juicy, and vibrant, soaring towards a three-dimensional depth that is always appreciated. Best from 2028. (Nov 2024)"

97 points Jacobo García Andrade (JamesSuckling.com): "Dark cherries, orange rind, dried flowers and cinnamon on the nose. The palate is incisive and medium- to full-bodied with tender fruit, refined and polished tannins and a long, persistent, flavorful finish. Elegant and almost ethereal in essence. Really well crafted and detailed. Better in 2026. (Jan 2025)"

97 points Falstaff Guide: "Clear ruby colour with a light garnet rim. Very clear and calming nose of fresh plums, with some mineral smoke and rose petals. Polished on the palate, shows plenty of fine-meshed tannins, extremely precise, spreads across the palate, juicy and with good tension. (Oct 2025)"

96 points Kerin O'Keefe: "Camphor, violet, woodland berry and dark spice are just some of the aromas you'll find on the fragrant 2021 Bricco delle Viole from G.D. Vajra. It's smooth and delicious, with flavors of ripe Marasca cherry, licorice, brown pepper and a burst of blood orange on the close. It's well balanced thanks to taut, refined tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2029–2036. (Feb 2025)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is a wine of stature and breeding. Vertical in shape, the Bricco delle Viole has so much to offer. Dark-toned fruit, leather, incense, gravel and licorice add an attractive savory edge. The 2021 is an especially somber, potent Bricco delle Viole. I would not dream of touching a bottle anytime soon. Drink 2027-2041 (Jan 2025)"

95 points Michaela Morris (Decanter): "This high-altitude, late-ripening site was picked between 13-18 October in 2021. Thick-skinned, healthy grapes saw a long, slow fermentation with a lengthy 51-day submerged cap maceration. It is quite a substantial, mouthfilling Bricco delle Viole that requires further ageing to assimilate. Complex aromas of cinnamon, brushwood, violet, mint and cherry blossom emerge with intertwining headiness. There is fleshy richness to the dark berry core, but it is neatly and tightly corseted by the suede-textured tannins. Youthful tension is amplified by signature linear acidity. Hints of liquorice and juniper percolate on the finish. Drinking window 2027-2042 (Jan 2025)"