Gaja Barbaresco 2021
Regular price $736.00
Unit price per
- TASTING NOTE: "The aromas of licorice, minerals, light tar and dark berries such as raspberry are so attractive. It’s medium-bodied with a tight and integrated palate of fine tannins that are seamless and unseen. It’s long and lively. It needs two to four years to open up. Try after 2027." 95 Points - JamesSuckling.com
- ABOUT THE WINE: Gaja’s Barbaresco is sourced from 14 different vineyards over the communes of Barbaresco and Treiso. The Barbaresco vineyards of Loreto, Castello, Masue’, Faset, Rocagliette, Roncaglie Vecchio, Roncaglie Nuovo, Bernino, Bricco, Trifolera, Valdrapp blended with the Treiso vineyards of Pajore’, Sotto, Pajore’ Sopra, Pajore’ Universita’.The grapes are fermented separately plot by plot and aged separately for 12 months if French oak. The component parts are then blended then aged another 12 months in Slavonian oak.
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ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Gaja is one of the most famous producers in all of Italy. Originating in and still based in Barbaresco in northwest Italy, the Gaja name remains most strongly associated with Nebbiolo-based wines, though the company now makes more wine in Tuscany than Piedmont. The business was founded in 1859 by Giovanni Gaja with just two hectares (five acres) of vineyards in Barbaresco. Each generation saw expansion, although Angelo Gaja, who took over full-time in 1970, is often credited with the estate's more recent success.
He was responsible for overseeing sweeping changes in the vineyards and cellars, and introducing the famed single-vineyard Barbaresco wines Sorì San Lorenzo, Sorì Tildìn, and Costa Russi (now Langhe DOC wines). These changes were not always well-received: famously, the name of the Darmagi Cabernet Sauvignon translates as 'what a pity', referring to Angelo's father's regret over the introduction of Bordeaux varieties. Gaja is famous for having introduced Barbaresco wines to a wider audience and for modernizing Piedmont – introducing international grape varieties and winemaking practices more common in Bordeaux or California. However, traditional elements remain, such as long macerations and the use of larger oak barrels (albeit in combination with new barriques). The estate generated significant attention when it began to blend a small amount of Barbera into all but two of its Barbaresco and Barolo wines, relegating them to the Langhe DOC classification. Angelo Gaja insisted this was a traditional practice to correct acidity, and at any rate, the label focused on the vineyard name, rather than the appellation. Gaja's move beyond Barbaresco started in 1988 with the acquisition of the Sperss vineyard in neighboring Barolo. In 1994, Gaja took over the 27 hectare (67 acre) Pieve Santa Restituta estate in Montalcino, followed by the 118 hectare (290 acre) Ca' Marcanda estate in Bolgheri. The name of this estate, acquired after protracted negotiations, translates as 'House of Haggling'. Although Angelo Gaja has never announced his retirement, the company is run in conjunction with daughters Gaia and Rossana. Wine Searcher
- COUNTRY: Italy
- REGION: Piedmont
- VARIETAL: Nebbiolo
- WINE STYLE: Red Wine
- CLOSURE: Cork
- ABV%: 14%
- SIZE: 750ml
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