Editors' Choice. Lovely Nebbiolo aromas of rose, violet, red berry and botanical herb shape the fragrant nose. Smooth and savory, the elegant palate features juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry and cake spice alongside polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. It's already drinking beautifully but also promises years of pleasure. Enjoy through 2030.

This wine consistently delivers one of the greatest values to be found in Italian wine. The G.D. Vajra 2018 Barolo Albe has all its cards in play as an immediately enjoyable and extremely food-friendly Nebbiolo. This really is the top of the category in that sense. With straightforward winemaking (fermentation is in steel and aging in large Slavonian oak casks), the wine offers bold cherry, wild plum and plenty of fragrant blue flower and violet. This vintage has the added benefit of softly textured richness.

The 2018 Barolo Albe is a pleasant, easygoing Barolo that shows the limits of the year in its light-bodied structure. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint and sweet pipe tobacco are nicely lifted. I imagine the 2018 will offer its best drinking sooner rather than later.