2016 Luigi Baudana Barolo Baudana

Luigi Baudana

Italy / Piedmont / Luigi Baudana

Baudana is located on the western slope of Serralunga and belongs to a fine cluster of vineyards among Lazzarito, Parafada, Rionda, Falletto and Francia. The soil is a composition of Marne di Sant’Agata mixed with Formazioni di Lequio. It’s white on the surface and distinctively blue underneath. The site enjoys amazing soil conditions, thanks to higher water retention.
Harvest usually takes place in the third week of October. Fermentation starts quite fast and runs smoothly for approximately 30 days, followed by another 10 days of maceration. One Slavonian cask is used to ferment most of the grapes, with some stainless-steel vessels used as a backup. Punch-downs and gentle pumpovers are the only activity over the maceration period. The wine is racked into oak after malolactic conversion and spends an average of 32+ months in large Slavonian oak casks. – Giuseppe Vaira

August, 2020

Gary Walsh

The Wine Front

95 points

Quite pretty, floral, dried roses, dried cherry, a bit of mineral. Full-bodied, but kind of light on its feet, succulent, dried strawberry, fresh and lively, a juicy orange and dried mint character, tannin grips gently, but feels dry and mineral, and the finish is again all red fruits layered in with spice. And long. Quite the charmer.

February, 2020

Antonio Galloni

Vinous Media

95 points

The 2016 Barolo Baudana is laced with sweet red cherry, floral overtones and silky tannins, all of which make it one of the more refined, sensual Serralunga Barolos readers will come across. In this tasting, the Baudana impresses with its haunting aromatics and transparent expression of Nebbiolo. Like all of these wines, it needs time in bottle but it is super impressive, even in the early going.

July, 2020

Monica Larner

Wine Advocate

95 points

The Luigi Baudana 2016 Barolo Baudana opens to a saturated and dark garnet color. Of these three Baroli from Luigi Baudana, this is perhaps the most complete and round. It shows the mineral signature that we got in the Cerretta (also from Serralunga d'Alba) with a bigger fruit profile, complete with sweet cherry and blackberry preserves. In fact, this wine feels a bit riper, sunnier and sweeter than the others in this grouping. Last year, in the 2015 vintage, this was my favorite wine. But in this tighter and more linear 2016 vintage, I prefer the Cerretta by a very small margin. Both wines are excellent.

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About Luigi Baudana

It was 2009 when Luigi Baudana entrusted the Vaira family with his historical vines in Serralunga d’Alba. For the Vairas, it was a dream come true; Aldo had always loved Barolo from the Helvetian soils of the area, and felt honoured to have the chance to better understand and work this land. With their love of a challenge, the Vaira family jumped at the chance to start a new adventure. With only 2.6 hectares (6.4 acres) farmed in some of the prime crus of the village, this can rightly be considered a true garagiste producer. Cerretta and Baudana rival the very best single-cru Barolo of the region. The range also features a Barolo that flies the flag for the Serralunga commune, and is rounded out by a fresh, original co-fermented white field blend called Dragon.

About

Giuseppe is the eldest child of Milena and Aldo Vaira. Giuseppe has a degree in oenology from the University of Turin and began working alongside father Aldo at the family estate many years ago. Passionate, driven and full of ideas, Giuseppe is a chip off the old block with his deep respect for tradition allied to a progressive, dynamic and adventurous mindset. In this, he is joined by sister Francesca and brother Isidoro. It is Giuseppe's wish that those who come to know G.D. Vajra - the place, the family and the wines - are moved to fall in love.