Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole 2017 (750ML)

96 JD / 96 KO / 95 DE / 95 WA / 95 VM / 95 JS / 95 WI / 94 WS / 17.5 JR

The 2017 Barolo Bricco Delle Viole is the darker fruited of the G.D. Vajra sites and has rounded floral aromatics of crushed roses, resin, and cranberry cocktail. The palate is ripe and inviting, with building structure and notes of fresh red cherry, blood orange, and clove. The warmth of the vintage is felt without sacrificing lift. Drink 2025-2050 Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck

Aromas of underbrush, pine forest, woodland berry and cedar form the enticing nose. Full-bodied and savory, the structured palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and cinnamon before closing on pipe tobacco notes. Tightly knit but refined tannins provide the backbone while surprisingly fresh acidity for the hot vintage keeps it balanced. Drink 2024–2032.--Kerin O'keefe

The backbone of Vajra’s Bricco delle Viole comes from a parcel established in 1949. As of 2017, it sees a new addition of plantings from 1931. Most of the grapes were picked in the first week of October and given a lengthy maceration of 58 days. Precise and pure, this opens with cherry, raspberry and cranberry, while nuances of fresh earth, wild herb and incense permeate. The palate is taut; its upfront tannins long, firm and powdery. Surprisingly sinewy and racy, it has a sour red cherry and brushwood finish. Not a crime to open now, but I will wait.Drinking Window 2023 - 2035--Michaela Morris, Decanter

The G.D. Vajra 2017 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is packed with medium dark cherry fruit and plum. The wine also shows a savory side, with spice, hazelnut cream, licorice and lightly fragrant potting soil. This vintage sits solid on the palate, wrapping thickly over the senses, thanks to its creamy, fruit-driven consistency and well-managed tannins. These vines are high in elevation, ranging from 400 to 480 meters in altitude. Those higher elevations are key to interpreting a vintage that saw heat such as this. Production is 15,000 bottles. -Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate

The 2017 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is classy and elegant to the core. Medium in body and wonderfully translucent, the 2017 captures all of the finesse of this site. Naturally, the 2017 also shows the ripeness of the year, but it retains its sublime sense of poise. The 2017 Bricco delle Viole is one of the clear stand outs of the year. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Aromas of ripe strawberries and flowers follow through to a full body with firm, chewy tannins that are silky and very polished. That palate is very clear and precise. Attractive, if chewy finish. Try after 2024. -James Suckling

This 2017 G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole has intense, vibrant and precise aromatics of pure wild strawberry, with hints of spice in the background. The nose becomes more and more interesting over time. It has a beautiful texture which flows on the palate, full-bodied and concentrated without being heavy. There is a brilliant diamond-like sharpness to the fruit and the chalky tannins are really lovely. This is a very classy Burgundy-like wine, so easy to drink and full of refreshing acidity together with vibrant sweet fruit. Wait two years, it will last 15-20 years. - Susan Hulme, Wine Independent

This silky Barolo boasts aromas and flavors of rose, black currant, cherry, raspberry and iron, with a touch of earth, showing terrific purity and length. This is more about finesse than power, though the tannins are present and should allow this to age. Best from 2024 through 2042. 1,100 cases made. - Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

Transparent pillar-box red. Powerful nose of dried something. Cherries? Rose petals? Perhaps both. Super-fresh, despite the alcohol, with such great presence in the mouth. It's not nearly ready but it's clearly destined for great things. Sweet and chewy with a strong mineral undertow. Jewel-bright fruit. Real lift but more powerful than ethereal. Even slightly pungent with a whiff of cordite. Really refreshing health juice. Great stuff. Jancis Robinson