G.D. Vajra Barbera D’Alba 2024

G.D. Vajra Barbera d'Alba is a single variety Barbera from the family winery founded in 1972 at Vergne, in the western part of the Barolo commune in Piedmont. The 40 hectares of vineyards sit among the highest in the area, at around 400 metres above sea level, and that altitude gives cool nights and a wide diurnal range that preserve freshness and lend the wines their bright acidity. This bottling is made mostly from the family's oldest Barbera vines, whose low yields concentrate the fruit. Barbera is naturally low in tannin but high in acidity, and the winemaking here keeps that profile pure, with no obvious new oak to mask the variety, so the fresh fruit and lively structure stay in the foreground. The wine shows an intense ruby colour, a nose of ripe cherry, red berries, plum and redcurrant over a hint of dried herbs and pepper, and a juicy, medium bodied palate with mouthwatering acidity, soft tannins and a clean, savoury finish. This is a versatile, food friendly red built for the table. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, with tomato based pasta or a plate of cured meats.