Barolo Coste di Rose G.D. Vajra 2015

G.D. Vajra is a producer we've stocked for many years. We love their knack for creating wines that are elegant yet approachable; ageworthy but still delicious young. And with Barolo coming off a run of stellar vintages (of whic 2015 was one of the best), this is the time to get into Vajra. 

As a cru vineyard, Coste di Rose is one of Barolo's best-kept secrets: perfectly positioned above a forest, on a hilltop 310m above sea level, with all the cooling influences this brings. The rare Tortonian sandstone soils are thought to be behind the distinctive floral aromas and saline minerality that bursts out of this wine. 

The grapes were picked late - around the third week of October - so fully ripe when they were gently clipped from the vine. Fermentation was slow and gentle, with maceration on the skins stretched out over 40 days, before the wine was matured large Slavonian casks for 2+ years.

The result is a marvel of complexity in flavours and tones. The nose is a bouquet of roses and a basketful of ripe cherries, with subtle liquorice and mint hints peeking through. In the mouth it's so graceful, with a soft tannic structure that flows flawlessly to a long, mineral finish.