Vajra Dinner with Kevin Natoli
at Chez Mike, East Greenbush, NY (5/6/2025)
Kevin Natoli, the North American Sales Manager for the Vajra winery, was hitting a few spots
in the north country. So we arranged a dinner at Chez Mike near Albany.
Serval local wine friends joined.
The food was great but none of my photos of the food came out well. :(
Click on any image with a border for a higher resolution version of that image,
which may also contain additional image.
Chez Mike has a very unassuming
exterior in a strip mall on NY Route 4 (Columbia Turnpike) in East Greenbush, NY.
But don't let that fool you. The food here is top notch.
Flight 1: The White Starters
2022 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero
[Pop and pour.] Gorgeous nose of lemon custard and minerals.
Complex, expansive, a stunningly beautiful wine, especially at this price point.
Wow. (93 points)
2021 G.D. Vajra Barolo Coste di Rose - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Pop and pour.] If you want to try one of the 2021 Vajra Barolos, this is the one.
Fragrant nose of roses and red fruit. Showing beautifully, if still young.
Expansive, complex, exquisite, stunning for a young Barolo. Probably won't last
as long as the other two, but who cares. This is a wow wine. (95 points)
2021 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Pop and pour.] Muted nose of black fruit. Rich, expansive with lovely tannins.
This is more classic Barolo with beautiful fruit and tannin.
I would let this rest 5-10 years to really show its best. (94–96 points)
2021 G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole -
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Pop and pour.] Dark, black fruit nose with hints of tar. Dark and rich in the mouth.
Stunningly complex. This combines the best of the previous two.
Might be one of the best BdVs ever. Such power and elegance.
Super long, riveting finish. (95–97 points)
Flight 3: Older Vajra Barolos
2015 G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Pop and pour.] Big ripe black fruit nose. Sweet red fruit in the mouth.
Balances the ripeness of the vintage brilliantly.
Kevin opened this to show one with a little age.
It's delicious now, but I think it still needs time to come together fully.
Great now. Should drink well for at least a decade, probably two. (94 points)
1989 G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Double-decanted at 5pm.] Mature nose of black fruit and forest floor.
Rich and earthy in the mouth with complex flavors of tar and licorice and dried black fruit.
Classic 1989. Beautiful. Fully mature. Drink up. (94 points)
People Pix
Mike comes out to chat. Everything about this great restaurant emanates from Mike.
You truly feel you are in the home of a friend, a friend who is a great chef.
The light was low, so I asked Mike to stay still.
Of course, he then danced.
