G.D. Vajra 2022 Barolo 'Ravera'

"Dark, densely fruited; brooding and muscular. All these words typically apply to the Ravera bottling by Vajra and in 2022 feel particularly apt. Slightly less nuanced than the 'Albe' or 'Bricco delle Viole', this wine more than makes up in sheer mass and fruit weight. Black cherries and preserve of same, menthol, cigar humidor wrap around a black hole of dark plums - skins and all. Lift is in the form of candied cherries and orange peel. Liquorice adds complexity. The palate is very full mid-centre (for the vintage), and possesses a silken quality not apparent in the other cuvees. Stern tannins but nicely buried in the fruit. Black cherry, black currant, black plums ... clove and other brown spices, bay both dried and fresh, and sweet tobacco on the close. Fine." — David