G.D. Vajra Barolo Coste di Rose 2021

G.D. Vajra Barolo Coste di Rose is a Nebbiolo from the DOCG Barolo in Piedmont, made by a family estate founded in 1972 in the town of Vergne, in the cooler western part of the appellation. The Coste di Rose site is known for sandy soils, which tend to give Barolo a more perfumed, elegant style with fine rather than heavy tannin. Nebbiolo ripens late and holds high acidity and firm tannin, and the cool climate with a wide diurnal range preserves its aromatics. The wine spends thirty two months in large foudres, where the low ratio of wood surface to wine allows slow softening of tannin through gentle oxygen exchange without adding oak flavour. Colour is pale garnet. The nose is perfumed, with cherry and rose over dried herbs, tobacco and a leathery edge, and the palate is full bodied and firm, with grippy tannin, bright acidity and a long savoury finish marked by liquorice. It will age well. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted for an hour. It suits braised beef and game.