Luigi Baudana Di Gd Vajra - Barolo Baudana 2020 (750ml)
Kerin O'Keefe: 97 Points
Aromas of menthol black spice leather rose hip and citrus lead the nose on the stunning 2020 Baudana from Luigi Baudana. It?s smooth and delicious delivering wild raspberry strawberry compote blood orange tobacco and star anise alongside a backbone of polished tannins. Crushed mint lingers on the close while fresh acidity keeps it beautifully balanced. Drink 2027?2035. Abv: 14% Kerin O?Keefe February 2024 ©kerinokeefe.com
jdJeb Dunnuck: 96 Points
The deep ruby-hued 2020 Barolo Baudana offers a sweet perfume of candied raspberries, cherry lozenge, crushed flowers, and sweet sage. Medium to full-bodied, it’s ripe and expansive with sweet tannins, it has a fantastic and weightless feel with a buoyant nature, and it’s floral and long on the palate, with a great apricot-noted finish. While it has a wide drinking window, it’s deserving of cellaring. Drink 2026-2040.
Since 2009, Luigi Baudana has been under the operation and ownership of the G.D. Vajra estate from Barolo. As with the Vajra estate, Giuseppe and Aldo manage the winemaking process, along with Giuseppe’s brother Isidoro, the vineyard manager. They continue to consult with Luigi for his understanding of the land and experience. They primarily use 15- to 17-hectoliter Slavonian barrels for aging, as the size of the cellar dictates. For the Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba bottling, selections are made from the crus of Baudana, Cerretta, and Costabella. With the 2019 vintage, they are now certified organic.
Wine Spectator: 95 Points
Packed with fruit this red exudes cherry strawberry rose and iron notes with a hint of wild herbs. Vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins lend well-meshed support. Harmonious and surprisingly approachable already but this will improve over the next two decades. Best from 2027 through 2045.?B.S.
Wine Advocate: 94 Points
With fruit from Serralunga d'Alba the Luigi Baudana 2020 Barolo Baudana is a bold and ripe expression with dark currant black cherry sweet orange peel and crushed red rose. Soft earthy layers appear on the mid-palate with hints of spicy licorice. All of that intensity with soil fruit and spice swells over the palate giving this wine an impactful character. It is almost ready to drink straight out of the gate. Published: Apr 04 2024
