G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera 2021

98 points/'Cellar Selection' Wine Enthusiast: "This wine carries the practiced perfection of Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron, legends who mastered their craft through relentless dedication. Like watching Alicia Keys command the piano or those NBA icons in their prime, the nose demands attention: dark cherries fresh and jammy, allspice, cracked pepper, bay leaf, and sage dance with warmed rose petals. The palate moves with the fluid grace of a championship-winning jumper, each element precisely where it needs to be. Structured yet silken tannins provide the foundation, while bright acidity orchestrates ripe dark berries and juicy strawberries in perfect harmony. The finish brings it home with Nebbiolo's signature earthy, savory brilliance; this is greatness born of practice and precision. Drink Now - 2050+ (Nov 2025)"

98 points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "The 2021 Barolo Ravera comes from an amphitheater-shaped vineyard that captures the sunlight, which the producers believe is what gives this cuvée its depth and richness. In the glass, the nose of the 2021 Barolo Ravera is remarkably concentrated, revealing notes of black raspberry and grenadine, fresh leather, and pressed flowers, with a long and sustained feel. The generous sweetness of fruit and its more noble, ripe tannins come through on the mid-palate, but it has a lot of finesse on the finish. The sapidity and purity of the fruit meets the tannins and acidity where they are fabulously. The estate keeps improving these wines, and this one is exceptional. Harvested over three days, it saw 55 days of submerged cap maceration, followed by 26 months of cask aging. In 2021, they lost about 15% of this vineyard production due to spring frost. (May 2025)"

97+ points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "From one of the most sought-after crus sites today, the G.D. Vajra 2021 Barolo Ravera opens to a vibrant ruby color. The wine takes its time opening, especially when tasted young, but that delay bodes well for its future bottle evolution. This wine is built like a wall, with each brick representing its own distinct character. There is dark fruit, pressed flower, herb, ebony and a very elegant mineral side. The bouquet is direct and vertical, with lifted intensity over a medium-plus palate. The tannins are elegantly managed, and this wine has the latitude for long cellar aging. It ferments in stainless steel and ages in large oak casks. Drink 2026-2048 (Jan 2025)"

97 points Kerin O'Keefe: "Wild berry, dog rose, violet, hay, menthol and spice aromas waft out of the glass on the incredibly fragrant and gorgeous 2021 Ravera from G.D. Vajra. Full-bodied and succulent, the delicious palate delivers raspberry compote, strawberry, baking spice and star anise alongside tightly woven, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it youthfully tense and balanced. Drink 2031–2046. (Jan 2025)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "This red is complex and solidly built, featuring black cherry, blackberry and black currant aromas and flavors. Iron, earth and underbrush accents chime in on the firm finish. Remains fresh and vibrant. Best from 2029 through 2050. 830 cases made, 350 cases imported. (Dec 2025)"

95+ points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 Barolo Ravera is laced with bright red-toned fruit, iron, spice, cedar, tobacco and dried herbs. Bright acids and beams of tannin give the Ravera its distinctively driving feel. Today, the 2021 is a bit sinewy. I suspect it will always remain a vibrant, steely Barolo. The Ravera is a fine choice for readers who appreciate the more savory, mineral side of Barolo. Drink 2027-2041 (Jan 2025)"

95+ points Ian D'Agata Wine Review: "Good full red. Ripe dark cherry and plum aromas are initially sullen but gain freshness with aeration, picking up espresso and dark chocolate elements. Then broad and tactile, offering slightly raisined cherry and candied plum flavors, with cocoa nuances adding complexity and sweetness. Closes long and youthfully tannic, but with refreshing mineral edge. A very deep, rich, and dense wine, this struck me as the biggest, most masculine wine in the Vajra portfolio this year. I’m still wondering if I haven’t been too stingy with my score. Drinking window: 2030-2041. (May 2025)"

95 points Michaela Morris (Decanter): "Harvested around the same time as Bricco delle Viole, the Ravera saw an even longer maceration – 55 days – and slightly more time in wood. All GD Vajra’s Barolo mature in large Slavonian oak casks, allowing site to shine. Reserved to begin with, this reveals tobacco, bay leaf and wet stone. Full and dense with some of the richness that the Bricco delle Viole expresses but ultimately steelier in temperament. Tangy blackcurrant is underscored by a distinct mineral edge. Firm, chiselled tannins build in strength without becoming brawny. Definitely cellarworthy. Drinking window 2027-2044 (Jan 2025)"

95 points Raffaele Vecchione (WinesCritic.com): "Vibrant and well-structured on the sensory profile, it displays notes of red plums, strawberries, flowering geraniums, elderflower, yellow peaches, prunes, camphor, and walnut husk. Pink grapefruit and hibiscus describe the secondary notes. Full-bodied, silky, and essential on the palate, it shows remarkable drinking dynamics and a compelling and progressive finish. Best from 2027. (Nov 2024)"