2017 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

June, 2021

Kerin O'Keefe

Wine Enthusiast

96 points.

Balsamic aromas of camphor and cedar mingle with rose and leather on this full-boded, savory red. Structured and delicious, the juicy palate is still youthfully austere, delivering ripe Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, baking spice and licorice framed in noble tannins before a black tea finish. Drink 2025–2037.

April, 2021

Stephen Blandford

The Real Review

97 points.

A lively colour of bright ruby with a hint of purple. Intense and complex aromas of dark cherry, raspberry compote, violets, clove and cinnamon spice, licorice too. In the mouth the wine is equally intense and compelling, sweet dark fruits, spice, and bold, perfectly ripe tannins threaded with a vein of saline minerality and flowing to a very long finish. An outstanding wine with a long life ahead.

June, 2021

Gary Walsh

The Wine Front

95 points.

Toasted hazelnut, liquorice and mint, dark cherry, dried rose and spice, leather and black tobacco. Full-bodied, bold and dark fruited, distinct hazelnut character to taste, lavish stony tannin, sweet slightly toasty fruit, roasted red capsicum, balanced acidity, a firm ‘mineral’ character, maybe some warmth though it feels generous rather than overt, spiced biscuit, and excellent length of flavour. Powerful. The vineyard is giving it loads here. Hello!

October, 2021

Nick Stock

Gourmet Traveller WINE

94 points.

Very attractive spice aromas and bracken as well as an ethereal rose-like perfume. Red cherry and kirsch aromas, blackcurrant and some cedar as well as fresh leather. The palate has a very punchy feel to the tannins with acidity driving a piercing edge. This has intensity and very attractive fresh red cherry fruit flavours. Drink over the next decade.

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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.