2022 G.D. Vajra Barolo Coste di Rose

96 pts
The prettiest and most approachable of the Cru Barolo offerings from the Vaira family.

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Sale price$165.00
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Description

Giuseppe Vaira calls this steep sandstone dune his secret weapon, and it is easy to see why. Sitting right between the famous dirt of Cannubi and Bussia, Coste di Rose always shows the highly seductive, fragrant side of the commune. It skips the brooding muscle of standard Barolo for something that walks with a much lighter step.  

The 2022 season was an intense, parched run that tested everyone in Piedmont. Low yields forced real concentration into the fruit, but Giuseppe kept his cool, using an extended 47-day maceration with a submerged cap to tease out fine structure without any heavy extraction.  

Of the Vajra Crus it's probably the 'prettiest' and most aromatic - hitting you with a gorgeous, lifted perfume of red berries, steeped botanicals, and a cool splash of spearmint. The palate has a real sapid drive, framed by a gravelly, fine-grained tannin web and a refreshing squeeze of blood orange acidity.

If Ravera is muscle and Bricco delle Viole is precision, this is all charm. Vaira says this is the most approachable of his Crus, though for the patient, there will be plenty of rewards should you cellar it for a decade or more.

96 points
"Floral, as is typical of this estate, with crunchy red fruit and rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied, with a blanket of delicate, tender fruit defined by chalky, precise yet silky tannins."
- Jacobo Garcia Andrade (James Suckling)

96 points - "Floral, as is typical of this estate, with crunchy red fruit and rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied, with a
blanket of delicate, tender fruit defined by chalky, precise yet silky tannins. Drinkable now with proper aeration,
but will improve with some bottle age." - Jacobo García Andrade (James Suckling)

The 2022 Vintage

The year began with dry weather and warm daytime temperatures. By March, the water table had been partially replenished by snow and rainfall in the mountains. Budburst commenced on 25th March, and the following two months brought a succession of gentle rainfall, along with several severe hailstorms that, fortunately, spared our vineyards. After a gradual flowering, warm conditions settled in early June and continued throughout the summer.

With the arrival of September, temperatures dropped, creating ideal conditions for the Nebbiolo harvest. Picking began on 16th August and was completed by 14th October. The 2022 season was a timely reminder of the resilience, resulting in low yields but wines of vibrancy, flavour and juiciness.- Squadra Vajra

Coste di Rose is one of Barolo’s best-kept secrets, perched on a steep slope from Bosco della Fava down to Monforte d’Alba. On its sandy soils, Nebbiolo produces Barolos of distinctive character: cherry and rose, hints of mint and sweet spice, with silky tannins on the finish.

In 2022, the grapes for Coste di Rose were picked on 27th September. They were sorted manually three times: directly on the vine, as whole bunches on the sorting tables, and finally as individual berries after destemming. Vinification was carried out in custom-designed vertical tini, with gentle punch-downs and pump-overs. Maceration was extended, lasting 47 days with a submerged cap. Spontaneous malolactic conversion occurred in stainless steel during the following spring. The wine matured for 22 months in large Slavonian oak casks of 25 hectolitres. Bottling took place on 19th May 2025.

The 2022 Coste di Rose opens with evolving aromas of red and amarena cherry, cranberry, strawberry and plum, supported by violet and other delicate floral notes. Beneath this, nuances of sweet spice, dark chocolate, nutmeg and clove form a rich core, lifted by hints of white pepper, fresh mint and a touch of orange zest. On the palate, the wine is fresh, long and elegant. A fine, signature granular grip greets the front of the mouth, while juicy, dark and red fruit unfolds with quiet intensity. Subtle floral and citrus accents are carried by lively acidity, giving this wine an ethereal poise. The finish is mineral-driven, with lingering notes of red fruit and crushed limestone. - Squadra Vajra

Price Bracket $101 and Above
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Nebbiolo
Country Italy
Region Piedmont
Reviewed By The Wine Front
James Suckling
Critic Score 96
Size 750ml
Vintage 2022
Closure Cork

G.D. Vajra

G.D. Vajra is a small, artisanal family producer and one of the benchmark modern day producers in Barolo.

The wines are now made by the family's second generation, with Giuseppe in the winemaking driver's seat supported by his siblings; Isidoro and Francesca under the watchful eye of father and founder Aldo and their mother Milena.

These are stunning examples of the regional staple varieties, made with one eye on tradition and one on progression. With holdings in the commune of Barolo as well as Novello, Sinio and Serralunga, they cover some of the most sought-after terroir in the region and make the most of it.

As noted wine writer Antonio Galloni once wrote, theirs is “a world of sublime hand-crafted, artisan wines of the very highest level”.

The Vaira family - Barolo, Italy G.D. Vajra

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