Description
“I am intrigued by Ravera’s indomitable personality. It is crisp like the sound of a Telecaster, straight and electric.” – Giuseppe Vaira
Ravera is recognized as the most important single vineyard in Comune di Novello. It grows on a very complex underground where marls of Tortonian origin mix with sandstones and clays of the Serravallian period. Our parcels are located in the southern amphitheater, between 300 and 380 meters asl.
VINEYARD AND TERROIR: Ravera (Novello).
GROWING: In 1971, Aldo Vajra, then still a university student, was one of the earliest to adopt organic farming in Piemonte. Vineyards have been nurtured, and soil preserved, by grassing and spontaneous cover crop for almost 50 years now. They are sustainable and organic certified. With an incredible ratio of manual work per hectare, farming at Vajra is a labor of love and “recipe-free” attention. Intense research is also placed into monitoring and improving the biodiversity of both f lora and fauna not just in the vineyards, but also in the winery fields and forests.
VINTAGE: 2021 vintage is set to provide some world class wines. Despite a frost alert in the spring, and a few violent hailstorms during summer, the season was generally very positive, moderately dry and with late harvests. All grapes have abundance of acidity and good phenolics, and the shortage of nitrogen in the fruit allowed for some of the longest and most gentle fermentations in recent years.
HARVEST AND WINEMAKING: In 2021, Ravera was harvested over three days, on October the 11th, 15th and 16th. Grapes were sorted manually three times: directly on the vine, as whole clusters on the sorting tables, and lastly as single berries. Vinification was carried in vertical tini, with gentle punch down and rinsing of the cap and lasted 55 days, including a submerged cap maceration. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation occurred in the following Spring. AGING: 26 months in large Slavonian casks of 25 and 50 hectoliters. Bottled on July 26th 2024.
TASTING NOTES: The 2021 Barolo Ravera soars out of the glass with red fruits, white pepper, blackberry pie, red candies, cedar and savory notes. Wild berries, black currant, crushed stone and a mineral sensation saturate the mid palate of this juicy, very generous Barolo.
PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS
98 points Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Barolo Ravera comes from an amphitheater-shaped vineyard that captures the sunlight, which the producers believe is what gives this cuvée its depth and richness. In the glass, the nose of the 2021 Barolo Ravera is remarkably concentrated, revealing notes of black raspberry and grenadine, fresh leather, and pressed flowers, with a long and sustained feel. The generous sweetness of fruit and its more noble, ripe tannins come through on the mid-palate, but it has a lot of finesse on the finish. The sapidity and purity of the fruit meets the tannins and acidity where they are fabulously. The estate keeps improving these wines, and this one is exceptional. Harvested over three days, it saw 55 days of submerged cap maceration, followed by 26 months of cask aging. In 2021, they lost about 15% of this vineyard production due to spring frost.
97 points Wine Advocate
From one of the most sought-after crus sites today, the G.D. Vajra 2021 Barolo Ravera opens to a vibrant ruby color. The wine takes its time opening, especially when tasted young, but that delay bodes well for its future bottle evolution. This wine is built like a wall, with each brick representing its own distinct character. There is dark fruit, pressed flower, herb, ebony and a very elegant mineral side. The bouquet is direct and vertical, with lifted intensity over a medium-plus palate. The tannins are elegantly managed, and this wine has the latitude for long cellar aging. It ferments in stainless steel and ages in large oak casks.
96 points Wine Spectator
This red is complex and solidly built, featuring black cherry, blackberry and black currant aromas and flavors. Iron, earth and underbrush accents chime in on the firm finish. Remains fresh and vibrant. Best from 2029 through 2050.
95 points James Suckling
This wine shows aromas of black cherries, fresh violets, thyme and touches of mint and smoke. Relaxing attack on the palate, with firm, dusty yet ripe tannins and crisp acidity. Medium- to full-bodied, it needs time to reach its full potential. Try from 2027.
95 points Vinous
The 2021 Barolo Ravera is laced with bright red-toned fruit, iron, spice, cedar, tobacco and dried herbs. Bright acids and beams of tannin give the Ravera its distinctively driving feel. Today, the 2021 is a bit sinewy. I suspect it will always remain a vibrant, steely Barolo. The Ravera is a fine choice for readers who appreciate the more savory, mineral side of Barolo.
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