G D Vajra - Barolo 'Bricco delle Viole' 2006

Clear ruby-garnet in the characteristic Nebbiolo style, with perfumes of orange peel, violets, dark cherry and berry characters.

On the palate it is intense and structured, with the classic Nebbiolo tannins and acidity rounded and smoothed out by the lovely ripe,velvety, liquorice and dark berry fruit from this high altitude vineyard.

The 'Bricco delle Viole' vineyard is located at altitudes of 380-470m above sea level in the commune of Barolo and covers 4.79ha. The average yield is 45hl/ha. One part of the vineyard is planted with vines which are now over fifty years old and yield less than 30hl/ha. Its high altitude and long ripening season gives it an aromatic complexity and richness lacking in lower vineyards.

The grapes were hand-picked and hand-sorted in the last 2-3 weeks of October.

Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at temperatures up to 31°C and lasted three weeks, with regular pumping over. The wine was matured for 42 months in Slovenian oak.