G.D. Vajra 2022 Barolo 'Bricco delle Viole'

"The 'Bricco delle Viole' bottling from G. D. Vara is always my favourite and in 2022 it is no exception. A wine of exceptional balance, with great immediacy to its fruit profile, it opens with charming nuances of freshly ground white pepper, crushed stones, and fresh herbs. Fresh and dried cherry and goji berry, fennel seeds, and deep red rose flesh out the aromatics. The palate, while not as stern as 2022, has good drive and tannin presence with classical reserve in the final 1/3; there are faint layers here to the tannins and not simply 'a wall' that lend nuance to the warm vintage characters otherwise present. Red cherry and preserve of same, with welcome tartness as if from their morello cousins; crushed chalk, dried mint, a dash of ground pink pepper on the close. Very fine, and more importantly: delicious." — David