KERIN O'KEEFE 97 POINTS - "The fantastic 2021 Cerretta from Luigi Baudana has balsamic aromas of camphor and menthol that mix with violet, spice and berry sensations. Cool, complex and elegantly structured with class and a wild streak – a vinous personification of the Door's Jim Morrison in his iconic black leather pants and white shirt – the racy palate features strawberry compote, orange zest, star anise and menthol alongside vibrant acidity and taut, refined tannins. It's still youthfully austere and needs time to fully unwind. Drink 2031–2041. Abv: 14% Kerin O'Keefe January 2025 ©kerinokeefe.com"
WINE SPECTATOR 97 POINTS - "A pretty red, this evokes strawberry, cherry, pomegranate, rose, mineral and menthol aromas and flavors. Elegant yet firmly built and layered, this should evolve nicely as all of its elements integrate and the tannins soften. Terrific length. Best from 2028 through 2048. 250 cases made, 150 cases imported."
This is a family-run labor of love; founded by Aldo Vajra, his first release happened to be from the troublesome 1972 vintage. Instead of giving up and abandoning the grapes on the vines, he made a wine anyway and never looked back. Remaining obstinate in his vision of what great Barolo should be, he refused to succumb to the increasing popularity of aging in French oak, especially with new barrels, which he felt would detract from the elegant and pure expression of the Nebbiolo grape. He was well-aware of the modern improvements in the wine cellars, though, and through the years earned the reputation of being "the most modern of the traditionalists and the most traditional of the modernists." He now runs the winery with his wife and three children, who are taking the family estates into the future. It's a testament to the character of this family that the small but well-respected winemakers, Luigi and Fiorina Baudana, felt comfortable letting the Vajras take over their estate in 2009, and with it their legacy (no small thing in a region that takes such things seriously).
The Vajras farm organically, make use of long fermentations during which the skins and juice gently mingle, and age the wines in large Slavonian oak barrels that impart only subtle wood notes.
WINE SPECTATOR 97 POINTS - "A pretty red, this evokes strawberry, cherry, pomegranate, rose, mineral and menthol aromas and flavors. Elegant yet firmly built and layered, this should evolve nicely as all of its elements integrate and the tannins soften. Terrific length. Best from 2028 through 2048. 250 cases made, 150 cases imported."
This is a family-run labor of love; founded by Aldo Vajra, his first release happened to be from the troublesome 1972 vintage. Instead of giving up and abandoning the grapes on the vines, he made a wine anyway and never looked back. Remaining obstinate in his vision of what great Barolo should be, he refused to succumb to the increasing popularity of aging in French oak, especially with new barrels, which he felt would detract from the elegant and pure expression of the Nebbiolo grape. He was well-aware of the modern improvements in the wine cellars, though, and through the years earned the reputation of being "the most modern of the traditionalists and the most traditional of the modernists." He now runs the winery with his wife and three children, who are taking the family estates into the future. It's a testament to the character of this family that the small but well-respected winemakers, Luigi and Fiorina Baudana, felt comfortable letting the Vajras take over their estate in 2009, and with it their legacy (no small thing in a region that takes such things seriously).
The Vajras farm organically, make use of long fermentations during which the skins and juice gently mingle, and age the wines in large Slavonian oak barrels that impart only subtle wood notes.
