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Bruno Giacosa, G.D. Vajra and Domaine Alain Burguet
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Maybe we overuse the term rock star, but it's apt here when we talk about the wines of Bruno Giacosa. They take cues from no one, forging ahead on their own path and as consumers, we are all the better for it. These wines (particularly the Riserva) will outlive us all, so they can be cellared with supreme confidence or consumed younger due to their elegant nature. This week we have four impeccable wines to offer from the first release after this titan of Piedmont tragic passing earlier this year.
At a different end of the price guide representing absolutely stunning value is G.D. Vajra. We have three wines available at varying levels and they all over deliver for the outlay required. The similarity they have to Giacosa is their capacity to age whilst being super delicious as young wines as well. If you haven't tried them before we might open 1 or 2 at our next tasting at the end of the month.
The legacy created by Alain Burguet is in great hands with his two sons Jean-Luc and Eric taking the reigns since 2011. Jean-Luc who joined the business in 1997 manages all aspects of the viticulture while Eric (1999) is overseeing the wine making. The vineyards were farmed organically as far back as the 1970s and today their approach is very much biodynamic (though not certified). All of the Gevrey-Chambertin vineyards are their own with the wine from Vosne-Romanee coming from leased sites but still managed by the family. These examples from 2014 and 2015 are a great starting point for any newcomer to the domaine.
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All wines below are available now at our special offer prices for the next 7 days only.
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Bruno Giacosa, one of the greatest winemakers of Italy’s Piedmont region, known for beautiful Barbarescos, Barolos and Barberas, died peacefully after a brief illness on Jan. 22 [2018]...
Giacosa defined a style of Barolo and Barbaresco that emphasized elegance and finesse over power, yet they were capable of aging beautifully. A Barolo Falletto Riserva Speciale 1971, tasted in 2013, was superb. He wasn’t afraid to innovate, changing from cement to stainless steel for fermentation and Slavonian to French oak for aging, but he could never be labeled a traditionalist or modernist. He was simply Bruno Giacosa, the Maestro, making ethereal wines vintage after vintage that were highly sought around the world.
Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator
The Giacosas make wines with impeccable depth and finesse that are easily comparable with the very best of Burgundy. I always liken their incredible Barolos and Barbarescos to the reds of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Giacosa’s Barolos are some of my favorite wines on earth.
James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
2015 AA Falletto Barbaresco 'Asili' DOCG
750 ml Usually $449 - Special Offer $400 - Add to Cart
Magnum Usually $899- Special Offer $800 - Add to Cart
Very perfumed and pretty with cherry, dried fruit and orange peel. Hints of sandalwood, too. Full body, layered and refined. Smoke, tar and spice aftertaste to the fruit.
James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
95 points
2012 AA Falletto Barolo 'Rocche del Falletto' Riserva DOCG
Usually $999 - Special Offer $850 - Add to Cart
A rich and decadent Barolo with dark berry, meat and hints of chocolate and spice. Full body, layered and dense with some leather and walnut underlying the ripe fruit.
James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
98 points
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By now I have run out of superlatives for Vajra. Suffice to say these are some of the finest, artisan wines being made in Piedmont today. At a time when prices for so many wines are skyrocketing out of control, Vajras prices are a breath of fresh air. The Barolo are made in a contemporary traditional style, with long fermentations and aging in cask... My only regret is not having bought these wines more heavily in the past.
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
2016 Langhe Nebbiolo
Usually $51 - Special Offer $45 - Add to Cart
Here is another terrific interpretation of Nebbiolo from a vintage that promises fantastic results with this finicky grape. The 2016 Langhe Nebbiolo offers bright floral and fruity intensity with dried violets, cassis, blueberry and forest floor. The effect is fine and elegant, and the wine finishes with smooth silkiness. The fruit is pressed cold at harvest in order to maintain that distinctive crispness and freshness.
Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
92 points
2014 Barolo 'Albe' DOCG
Usually $92 - Special Offer $82 - Add to Cart
Vajra's 2014 Barolo Albe is a pretty wine, but it is also a touch slender. Part of that is, of course, attributable to the vintage, but in recent years the Albe has been stylistically more similar to the other Barolos in the range than it was at the outset. Suggestions of sweet tobacco, cinnamon, dried flowers and black cherry are layered in this supple, easygoing Barolo. Drink it over the next handful of years.
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
90 points
2014 Barolo 'Bricco delle Viole' DOCG
Usually $158 - Special Offer $145 - Add to Cart
The 2014 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is positively stunning. There are many things about this wine that are super-impressive, but what stands out most is how soft and silky the tannins are. Because of that, the 2014 is much more approachable than it usually is, and yet also conveys the feeling of translucence that is such a signature of this site and wine. I am not sure I have ever tasted a young Bricco delle Viole with this much purity of fruit. The 2014 is total class. Don't miss it.
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
96 points
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Continuing their father's work in Gevrey-Chambertin, the Burguet brothers, Jean-Luc and Eric joined in the late 90s and have since taken over the winemaking duties of the family domaine. Often hailed as one of the most consistent domaines in Burgundy, the brothers favour the more elegant vintages and strive to produce wines of purity and balance.
MW Wines
...ripe but refreshing, vibrant and delicious wines that possess very good typicity. If you enjoy the Burguet style then the 2015s should definitely be of interest.
Allen Meadows, Burghound
2015 Gevrey-Chambertin 'Mes Favorites' V.V.
Usually $129 - Special Offer $115 - Add to Cart
This is decidedly more aromatically reserved with its nose of somber dark berry fruit, spice, game and earth scents. As is always the case, there is more size, weight, concentration and underlying material to the muscular flavors that culminate in a firm and backward but not hard or even youthfully austere finale. This built-to-age villages is worth checking out. Outstanding.
Allen Meadows, Burghound Issue 65
89-91 points
Black cherry, blackberry, menthol, licorice and cloves are some of the many notes that run through Burguet's 2015 Gevrey-Chambertin Mes Favorites Vieilles Vignes. The 2015 brings together the richness of fruit that is so typical of the year along with enough structure to age well for at least a handful of years.
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
89-91 points
2014 Gevrey-Chambertin 'Mes Favorites' V.V.
Usually $115 - Special Offer $105 - Add to Cart
...there is a trace of new wood setting off the more deeply pitched and slightly riper aromas of red and dark currant, earth and humus scents. There is also more volume to the sappy and attractively textured medium-bodied flavors that display only mild rusticity on the serious and built-to-age finale. Moderate patience will be required. Recommended.. Outstanding, Top Value.
Allen Meadows, Burghound Issue 61
89-91 points
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All wines are available now at our special offer prices for the next 7 days only. To place your order click on the links above or return the attached form to us by email, by fax on 03 9419 6970 or by or calling us on 03 9419 6990.
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