G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera Nebbiolo 2020

G.D. Vajra “Ravera” Barolo 2020 - Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy

Producer's Notes:

The 2019 Barolo Ravera soars out of the glass with intense red fruit, raspberries, mint and orange zest. The nose is complex and reveals all the aging potential of this vintage. Red fruits, flowers, crushed stone fill out the mid-palate, together with the signature salinity and very chiseled tannins.

What we say:

A stunning single-vineyard Barolo from G.D. Vajra, Ravera is sourced from one of the most prized crus in Novello, known for producing wines that combine power, minerality and precision. 

Ravera is one of Barolo’s most distinctive sites, with a complex mix of marl, sandstone and clay soils that contribute both structure and aromatic lift. The vineyard’s ability to balance ripeness with freshness has made it increasingly important in the context of climate change, consistently producing wines of both power and elegance. 

The fruit is organically farmed and harvested by hand, with meticulous sorting carried out multiple times to ensure only the best berries are used. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts over an extended maceration period of around four weeks, followed by spontaneous malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged for approximately 28 months in large Slavonian oak casks, allowing the structure of Nebbiolo and the character of the Ravera vineyard to shine without overt oak influence. 

The nose is intensely aromatic and layered, showing red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry, alongside notes of rose petal, orange zest, mint and crushed stone. On the palate it is medium-to-full-bodied and beautifully structured, with finely etched tannins and vibrant acidity supporting a core of pure red fruit. There is a distinctive mineral tension and salinity running through the wine, leading to a long, focused finish with hints of spice and earth. 

Grape variety: 100% Nebbiolo

Style: Dry red, full-bodied, structured and age-worthy

Alcohol: ~14% ABV 

Drink window: Now–2050

Perfect for: Braised beef, truffle dishes, game, aged cheeses

97 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 

96 points - Wine Enthusiast 

96 points - Wine Spectator 

94 points - Jeb Dunnuck 

94 points - James Suckling 

Structured, mineral and beautifully precise - a standout Barolo that captures the power and elegance of Ravera in a superb vintage.