G.D. Vajra Luigi Baudana Barolo Baudana 2020

Luigi Baudana farms just 2.6 hectares in Serralunga d'Alba, one of the smallest active estates in Barolo, now in the hands of the three G.D. Vajra siblings. This bottling comes from the Baudana vineyard, planted to 50-year-old Nebbiolo vines at around 350 metres above sea level. The old vines yield small crops of concentrated fruit, while the calcareous, sandy-limestone soils of Serralunga and a wide day-to-night temperature swing preserve acidity and build the grape's tannic backbone. Nebbiolo's perfume of rose and tar is fixed by the cool nights of the long autumn ripening. The wine ages 36 months in large foudres, where slow, gentle oxygen exchange softens the tannins and knits the fruit together without adding obvious oak spice. The colour is pale garnet with a brick edge. The nose shows red cherry, dried rose, liquorice, leather and tobacco. The palate is full bodied and deeply structured, with firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity driving a long, earthy finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant ahead, in a large bowled glass. It suits braised beef, game and mushroom dishes.