It was a joy to host Giuseppe Vaira in Australia early this year, spending time with our friends in the wine trade in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. There’s always plenty of philosophical reflection during our time together, always infused with humility and humour.
On a couple of occasions, we were treated to an anteprima of the 2022 Barolo. “It was not an easy vintage,” the critic Antonio Galloni wrote when reviewing the range from our friends in Vergne. But, Galloni asserted, “This is a fine set of wines from the Vaira family. The 2022 Barolos are a touch light, but they are also classy and impeccably balanced.”
These adaptive, aesthetically aware traditionalists have always thrived within a paradox; they have a keen eye for both light and shade. A theme that came up during Giuseppe’s visit was people’s tendency to conflate difficulty with disappointment. “Often ‘difficult’ gets translated into ‘bad’,” he said. “But if you think about our own lives, at least it is true for me that some of the hardest moments were the moments that made me mature the most.”
This unified team rises to challenges like 2022; such is the wisdom, force of will and sense of purpose at G.D. Vajra that the good will out. Always.
The background to this Barolo release—global geopolitical factors and local climatic conditions alike—makes the triumphs even more special. “What we do is carry the torch of a more beautiful, unarmed approach to life,” Giuseppe told the Vininspo! podcast. “An approach in which you realise that gifting and giving are more important than taking. You realise that there’s a beauty in the gentleness of all things. A gentleness of farming, a gentleness of how you touch on the things of life, on the people you’re given.”
Giuseppe sees nurturing “an amazing team” and bringing out the beauty of the vineyards as a social responsibility—a response to all the gloom out there. “The point is that once you walk into our life, whether it is physically walking at the winery or by popping the cork of a bottle, you might make an experience of the fact that there can be brightness even in darker times,” he said.
So don’t think the bleak headlines are the last word. “We see real changes in our life, in the way we work, and this is also how it’s going to change the result,” Giuseppe said. “And I totally believe a good wine can change someone’s life for a meal or a day. And that is where we start.”
And thus we kick off our presentation of these lovely 2022 Barolos, in anticipation of the rays of hope and pangs of delight they will bring.
2022 G.D. Vajra Barolo ‘Albe’ RRP $114
The true Beauty of Albe is the caress of the sun that rises three times every morning over our vineyards. It’s the exceptional simplicity of nature that makes the awakening of life an everyday miracle. – Milena Vaira.
Albe is our tribute to traditional Barolo and its ‘maestri’. It is a blend of high-elevation vineyards where, each day, we witness three beautiful sunrises—or albe. Albe comprises Barolo DOCG vineyards with exposures ranging from south-south-east to south-west, situated at elevations between 380 and 480 metres above sea level.
In 2022, fruit for our Barolo Albe was picked between 23rd September and 12th October. Grapes 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 a custom-designed vertical tini, with gentle punch-downs and pump-overs. Maceration was extended, lasting an average of 36 days with a partially 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 40, 50 and 75 hectolitres. Bottling took place between 16th and 20th June 2025.
The 2022 Albe shows a lively, translucent garnet red hue. The nose opens with delicate rose petals, candied cherry, and amarena, followed by hints of cedarwood, juniper berries, and wildflowers, alongside a gentle touch of sea breeze and forest floor, all lifted by notes of lemon blossom and blood orange. On the palate, mountain strawberries and juicy dark fruits are carried by a silky texture and refined tannins. The finish is lingering, long and beautifully mineral. – Squadra Vajra
Deeper red fruits, spice, orange peel, a little earthy, some perfume like rosehip. Medium to full-bodied, has freshness, a ripe lightly grainy grip to tannin, finishes clean and long. A really good Albe. Distinct, quite open, and already good to drink. 94 points. Gary Walsh, The Winefront Jun 2026
A very exuberant yet delicate nose of rose petals, clementine peel and raspberries. The palate is medium-bodied with supple red fruit and silky tannins. Very pleasant. Drink now or hold. 94 points. Jacobo García Andrade, jamessuckling.com Jan 2026
A really good Albe. Distinct, quite open, and already good to drink. 94 points.
Gary Walsh, The Winefront
2022 G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole RRP $213
Bricco delle Viole is the vineyard that taught us patience and naturally guided the style of our craft. – Aldo Vaira
Among the historical vineyards of Barolo, Bricco delle Viole is the highest and closest to the Alps. It rises from 400 to 480 metres above sea level on the western ridge of the village. Its name, “Hill of Violets”, originates from the flowers that blossom early thanks to the perfect south-facing exposure. Above the fog, Bricco delle Viole enjoys the earliest sunrise and the last sunset each day. Thanks to this pure light, a dramatic diurnal temperature range, and vines dating back to 1931, 1949, and 1968, Bricco delle Viole produces a profound Barolo of bright aromatics, chiselled tannins, and subtle minerality.
In 2022, the fruit for this wine was picked between 5th and 12th October. Grapes were sorted manually three times: directly on the vine, as whole bunches on 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 49 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 and 50 hectolitres. Bottled on 20th May 2025.
The 2022 Bricco delle Viole shows a vibrant, intense garnet red hue. The nose is deeply perfumed, noble and magnetic. Layers of violets, macerated wild roses, and ripe strawberries intertwine with red and dark cherries, blueberries, a touch of mint, white truffle, star anise, and wild fennel. With time, this high-pitched bouquet deepens into notes of crushed stone and a hint of tamarind. On the palate, the wine is monumental yet remarkably elegant. Dense flavours of violet and cherry merge with a dark mineral edge, alongside touches of orange, wild fennel and a subtle saline note. The tannins are refined, appearing and receding like the weave of a tapestry. The finish is enduring, lingering gracefully into the next sip. .- Squadra Vajra
Good perfume here, red fruits, cherry, orange peel, mint and spice. Medium to full-bodied, has some freshness to acidity, poached strawberry plus something a little darker adding some richness, hazelnuts too, a spicy feel to tannin, finishing long with a tiny bit of warmth. It’s not at the top end of BdV releases, but it’s very good. 95 points. Gary Walsh, The Winefront Jun 2026
Brilliant ruby colour. Aromas of dried roses, dark cherry and pomegranate, some raspberry as well, cinnamon and darker liquorice notes, mint and dried herb. The structure is taut and full-bodied, fruit sweetness concentrated and of good depth, spice interwoven, the tannins silky-fine and marrying well with the fruit which flows on with liquorice and spice to a lengthy conclusion. This is excellent. 96 points. Stephen Blandford, The Real Review Feb 2026
A very absorbing nose, showing flowers, passion fruit, sandalwood and crunchy red berries. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, with a detailed, precise tannin structure and tender fruit, finishing firm and focused. From one of the higher-altitude crus in Barolo. This needs two to three years to soften. Better from 2029. 96 points. Jacobo García Andrade, jamessuckling.com Jan 2026
2022 G.D. Vajra Barolo Coste di Rose RRP $164
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
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. 96 points. Jacobo García Andrade, jamessuckling.com Jan 2026
2022 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera RRP $213
Ravera is recognised as the most important single vineyard in the Comune di Novello. It sits on a highly complex subsoil in which Tortonian marls intermix with Serravallian sandstones and clays. Our parcels are located in the southern amphitheatre, between 300 and 380 metres above sea level.
In 2022, the grapes for our Barolo Ravera were harvested on 4th October. They were sorted manually in three stages: directly on the vine, as whole bunches on sorting tables, and finally as individual berries after destemming. Vinification took place in custom-designed vertical tanks, with gentle punch-downs and pump-overs. Maceration was extended, lasting 47 days with a submerged cap. Spontaneous malolactic conversion occurred in stainless steel the following spring. The wine matured for 22 months in large Slavonian oak casks of 25 and 50 hectolitres. Bottling took place on 19th May 2025.
The 2022 Barolo Ravera reveals an unexpected poise for its youth. It opens with aromas of dark cherry, blood orange, marzipan and star anise, accented by cedarwood, purple flowers, tobacco leaf and subtle earthy tones. Hints of iron, wet clay and liquorice add depth, giving the bouquet a noble, almost sanguine character. On the palate, the wine is deep and powerful, supported by broad, finely woven tannins. Juicy red and dark fruits unfold with vibrant intensity, while sweet spice, aromatic herbs and a saline mineral note bring energy and lift. The finish is earthy, persistent and quietly monumental, leaving a long, savoury impression. – Squadra Vajra
Tea, hibiscus, orange rind, sandalwood and dried flowers. Really aromatic and absorbing. Medium-bodied, with a transparent, ethereal sense of fruit and a backbone of tannins that gives definition all the way to the end. Unique balance, from the famed vineyard in Novello. Better from 2029. 95 points. Jacobo García Andrade, jamessuckling.com Jan 2026
