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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.9 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 112 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by cephomer on 4/18/2024 & rated 92 points: Drank last nite at the Czech embassy with our make-shift Cepages group. Decanted at the table for an hour before drinking, and this wine really needed it. Nose similar to prior tastings, with good aromas of roses, tar and herbs. Black fruit is prominent, and the wine surprisingly remains quite tannic, particularly noticeable up front. There's tar with some herbal and savory notes, and the wine seems bigger, chunkier than I recall. Balance would prob be my biggest complaint on this occasion, or lack thereof, due to the tannic nature of this particular bottle. I would decant for a longer period next time around (217 views) | | | Tasted by LB88 on 10/17/2023 & rated 93 points: Great wine, beautiful nose cassis, blueberries, graphite, blackberries and spices on the palate. The 1998 was the most ready the 2001 had the most potential the 1999 was good and more ready than the 2001. The consistency was clearly there across. This was as good if not better than the costa russi 99 and 04 across the board. Perhaps costa russi needs more time? (904 views) | | | Tasted by Cailles on 7/3/2023 & rated 95 points: No notes taken. Highly intense nose full of tar and roses, menthol and herbs. Dark fruit. Well defined. On the palate so round and smooth, full of fine red berries, tar, roses, herbs, crushed rocks. Complex, precise, elegant, airy with lots of intensity and very harmonious. A quintessential Barbaresco with all the telltale aromas and the fine structure and necessary textural depth.
Decanting: At first, I thought this might be over the hill but all that musty and soy aromas blew off with a bit of air. The wine got actually fresher, so some decanting is advised. (1648 views) | | | Tasted by ofrasca on 12/25/2022 & rated 85 points: Should have had it earlier....seems over (1479 views) | | | Tasted by cephomer on 11/13/2022 & rated 93 points: Drank at Savona in Hudson. No decant, tho could've used it. Color showing some age, bricking in the glass. Cork was a bit wet, but no worries. Nose of roses and tar. Medium body, still plenty of red cherry fruit, somewhat earthy and a lot of tar and spice. Notes of cedar too. Tannins still there but softening. Excellent complexity, ultra-long finish. Powerful wine, but still elegant. Really delicious and holding up nicely. Went great with our Italian food. (1548 views) | | | Tasted by JoeDwine on 10/9/2022 & rated 93 points: With Sundried Tomato/Mild Sausage Pizza
Crimson and starting to slightly brick.
Licorice, muted mint and scorched earth,bell pepper.
A little hot on the nose at open. Good acidity.
30 minutes in BBC and red fruits starts to come out from hiding. Some nuts as well and alcohol blowing off.
Spices and muted dark chocolate, tar coming through. (1592 views) | | | Tasted by Paul D on 9/29/2022 & rated 90 points: Quite rich a d ripe on the nose, strawberry fruit, vanilla oak. Medium bodied, lovely pure red fruit, touch of cedar and spice, fresh acids, good length harmonious finish. (1309 views) | | | Tasted by Neecies on 4/19/2022: A-M's bottle. Concerns caused by the moldy wet cork did not materialize in damage to the wine, thank god. Brick red color with everything you hope for: cherries, tar, spice, rose petals, and more tar. Endless finish. So many great wines this night, but this is the one that made me swoon. Exquisite. (1716 views) | | | Tasted by Buick455 on 1/8/2022 & rated 92 points: Decanted 1 hour. Color was opaque dark brick red. Edge a of brown'ish. Nose of cherries, spice. Palate was cherries, tar, spice. Long Finish. Rosehip, cherry and tar. (1507 views) | | | Tasted by VINNICK on 11/24/2021 & rated 92 points: It’s a lovely wine. The usual fare for Gaja. That said, not worth the price people are asking for the aging factor. Too tannic and not concentrated enough. Good wine but no wow factor here. (1522 views) | | | Tasted by sburtt on 2/24/2021 & rated 89 points: quite disappointing I must say. Bottle perfectly stored, but after 20 years its' like the wine has passed out, nebbiolo is hardly felt compared to the scents of the wooden cask.. disjointed tannin, nothing really special and sub average wine imho, really don't get the hype here (2209 views) | | | Tasted by Ralphie1 on 12/24/2020 & rated 90 points: Really improved after two hour decant (2189 views) | | | Tasted by Ltim BE on 12/14/2020 & rated 95 points: Sadly my last bottle. What a wine !! At its peak and soo amazing. (2249 views) | | | Tasted by Stefanos T. on 9/13/2020 & rated 95 points: Excellent wine, at peak of maturity for me.
Typical nose with balsamic aromas, olive brine and herbs. Very clean.
Palate was otherwordly, silky smooth despite the weight of the wine.
Firm structure with impeccable tannins. Immensely drinkable!
Long aftertaste. (2267 views) | | | Tasted by HowardNZ on 3/7/2020 & rated 94 points: Rauno and Adithi's Valentine's Day Dinner (Wellington, NZ): Two Piemontese wines served blind as a pair to finish. Decanted about five hours before serving, which seemed about right. Deep, dark colour. Also a dark nose: tar, black earth, black cherries and other dark fruit and brown spices. There was a lift to the bouquet but it was more dry herbs - or sottobosco - than floral. On palate, a broad, structured Piemontese, drinking much less than 19 years of age. Earthy with creosote, cherries, tartufi neri, porcini and sottobosco, old leather and black liquorice. Obviously a Gaja - the Gaja signature style was clear - but not really expressing Barbaresco, as opposed to say Serralunga, terroir. Sturdy but relatively fine grained tannins. Good fresh acidity and excellent length. Drinking well on the night but I'm sure properly cellared bottles will continue to evolve positively for 10+ more years. (3292 views) | | | Tasted by Ltim BE on 1/25/2020 & rated 95 points: Wow wow what a wine, this is simply stunning. A quick decant and this wine sings, soo complex, sooo full and yet smooth and refined. The previous bottle we had was opened in 2013 (92p). This wine is at its peak and not going down anytime soon. Pure class. Sadly only one bottle left. (2337 views) | | | Tasted by SinawoyCellars on 1/23/2020 & rated 96 points: In a phenomenal spot right now. Has everything. Can wait, but if you've got a few, give it a check in! (2288 views) | | | Tasted by casoe on 11/10/2019 & rated 95 points: Cherry, roses, licorice and a lot of floral in the nose. Balanced and polished and difficult not to like if you love nebbiolo. But drinks more like a 2013 than a 2001, will certainly not touch my last bottle in the near future. (2394 views) | | | Tasted by Argrath on 10/11/2019 & rated 95 points: (Blind tasting)
Full, deep and complex nose. Rubber, tar and spice. Minerals and crushed stones. Very multi-layered with depths of nuts, dark cherries and roses. Splendid!
Extremely balanced palate between lushness, polished tannins and fantastic fresh grip. Rich, majestic, elegant. Rosehip, cherry and tar. So clean and a fantastic Nebbiolo expression. Soo beautiful! Will deliver splendid drinkability for at least 5-10 more yrs. (1099 views) | | | Tasted by Som-Geo on 6/2/2019 & rated 95 points: Classic tar and roses, soft tannins and gorgeous mouthfeel. Finish goes on and on. Herbs, tobacco, new leather and baking spices. Took 45-60 mins to open then singing. Wish I had more of these to enjoy!! (2679 views) | | | Tasted by osordal on 4/11/2019 & rated 94 points: Decanted for 3-4 hours. Very nice colour. Very expressive on the nose with beautiful sour cherry, roses and flowers. Some leather and truffle. Still lively on the palate and good length. Handles the ribeye and mushroom sauce. Maybe the ending is a bit short, but a beautiful expression of Nebbiolo. Probably at its peak (2222 views) | | | Tasted by Dmax808 on 4/3/2019 & rated 97 points: I was beginning to think I didn't care for nebbiolo and then I drank THIS! For me, this "modernist" style of Barbaresco had just the right balance of everything. Such an expressive nose, so pretty with nice round fruit and well integrated tannins. So complex.
I'll have to revisit more of Piemonte. I wish they could all be like this at a fraction of the price! (2101 views) | | | Tasted by Dave Canada on 1/4/2019 & rated 92 points: Drank at Loy Stuben in Bad Kleinkircheim. Note from memory
This is ready to go....no need to wait. (2524 views) | | | Tasted by mpricher on 12/28/2018 & rated 90 points: Bought this one from Kroger at a significant discount as they were rebuilding their indoor cellar. Was worth trying a true Gaja. That said, it’s not really my cup of tea. Loads of barnyard and farm fields on the nose.. opened up after hour decant and continued to open over couple hours. The fruit was mixed with dried meat and herbs. Second day it tasted a bit better. I can tell this is well made, but had more of a sticky cheese vibe than other Barbareaco’s I’ve tried. (2093 views) | | | Tasted by dresden on 9/1/2018 & rated 95 points: Great wine. Tannins resolved, mild bricking, great length. Not as good as my 1996 that I had in 2007, but close. (2141 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By James Button
Decanter, Gaja Tasting of a Lifetime (10/10/2023)
(Gaja, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Walter Speller
JancisRobinson.com (10/10/2023)
(Gaja Barbaresco Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Walter Speller
JancisRobinson.com (9/22/2016)
(Gaja Barbaresco Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Piedmont Report: Checking in on the 2001 Baroli (Apr 2012)
(Gaja Barbaresco) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Italy’s 2001 Barolo and 2001 and 2003 Barbaresco vintages (Oct 2006)
(Gaja Barbaresco) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, Top 100 Preview, Giacosa, Gaja and more (5/30/2005)
(Gaja Barbaresco) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, November/December 2004, IWC Issue #117
(Angelo Gaja Barbaresco) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jon Rimmerman
Garagiste (9/25/2007)
(GAJA Barbaresco) 2001 Gaja Dear Friends, This is a wine that keeps getting better and after my initial suspicion that it was the best Gaja wine in 2001 (better than the cru level wines), that fact was reconfirmed to me today with an absolutely brilliant showing of the 2001 Barbaresco, arguably Gaja’s most traditional effort. As most of you know, I am a big fan of the 2001 vintage around Alba and this wine is a perfect reason why. It has the esoteric qualities that I look for in Nebbiolo but it also has the stuffing and equilibrium to age - all on a medium weight frame that is near-perfect. This isn’t the biggest or baddest cuvee in Barbaresco but it may be the most reflective in 2001. We were able to procure a perfect parcel of splits directly from the source (at a terrific price). They did not make many of these and we can only get one parcel. The regular Barbaresco finally gets its due in 2001 as one of the more impressive wines of the vintage. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ONE SHIPMENT ONLY with pristine provenance 2001 Gaja Barbaresco 375ml Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Italy9874 |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Decanter and JancisRobinson.com and Vinous and Vintage Tastings and Garagiste. (manage subscription channels) |
| Gaja Producer website
Located in the Tuscany and Piedmont regions of Italy, Gaja makes collectible Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay wines, including the Langhe Conteisa label. Gaja wines are among the highest-rated in all of Italy. It is perhaps best known for its Super Tuscans, which are some of the most elegant on the market. However, the estate also makes top-quality wines rooted in Italian tradition, such as Barbaresco. It is perhaps the most lauded Barbaresco producer today.
Although the estate produces 18 different wines, the production is low at just 350,000 bottles per year, making these wines very rare. The best Gaja vintages include 2018, 2016, and 2015 as well as historically well-performing vintages such as 2013, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2004, and 2003. Many of Gaja’s best vintages have received perfect scores from criticsGaja BarbarescoWine description
“Barbaresco” is doubtless the most prestigious wine produced by Gaja winery, famous worldwide for its excellence. Nebbiolo is the only variety used, pure 100%.
The 14 vineyards are located in the district of Barbaresco and have an elevation that swings between 250-330 meters above the sea level. The total surface covers 21,4 hectares, where the vines have a medium age that counts around forty years old.
The wine making is managed separately. After fermentation, maceration and 12 months aging in wood, all the different wines coming from the 14 vineyards are assembled together. The final product is then submitted to a further aging of 12 moths in wooden barrels. Year after year, harvest after harvest, Barbaresco DOCG produced by Angelo Gaja has become greater and greater. It is a surprising wine under all the points of view. It is produced with selected grapes coming from different vineyards, showing its great quality and its unique elegance.
Features of red wine “Barbaresco” from Piedmont
Intense garnet red colour. The perfume recalls red berries, with floral sensations of violet, hints of aromatic herbs, spices, white pepper, tobacco and anise. The taste is silky and rich at the same time, supported by energic tannins that let it age also ten years. Great persistence.
Notes from the producer:
The Gaja family settled in Piemonte in the mid-17th century. Five generations have been involved in winemaking since Giovanni Gaja, in 1859 founded his winery in Barbaresco, in the heart of the Langhe area.
The Gaja name represents a legacy of qualitative supremacy maintained by the family over five generation.
The Nebbiolo vine is particularly affected by the small differences in the various types of soil. The blend of the grapes coming from the 14 vineyards stresses the features of the different terroirs, thus creating a complex and balanced wine. The bouquet smells of soft fruits, flowers, delicate spices and mineral notes. The structure is dense but elegant. It has a lingering finish with refined tannins. Each Gaja Barbaresco is the faithful expression of the production year and is suitable for a long bottle ageinNebbioloNebbiolo is a red grape indigenous to the Piedmont region of Italy in the Northwest. The grape can also be found in other parts of the world, though they are not as respected.
Nebbiolo is often considered the "king of red wines," as it is the grape of the famed wines of Barolo DOCG, Barbaresco DOCG, and Roero DOCG. It is known for high tannins and acidity, but with a distinct finesse. When grown on clay, Nebbiolo can be very powerful, tannic, and require long aging periods to reach its full potential. When grown on sand, the grape exhibits a more approachable body with more elegant fruit and less tannins, but still has high aging potential.
"Nebbiolo" is named for the Italian word, "nebbia", which means "fog", in Italian and rightfully so since there is generally a lot of fog in the foothills of Piedmont during harvest.
Nebbiolo is a late-ripening variety that does best in a continental climate that boasts moderate summers and long autumns. In Piedmont, Nebbiolo is normally harvested in October.
More links:
Varietal character (Appellation America) | Nebbiolo on CellarTrackerItaly Italian Wines (ItalianMade.com, The Italian Trade Commission) | Italian Wine Guide on the WineDoctorPiedmont Vignaioli Piemontesi (Italian only)
On weinlagen-infoLanghe Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Roero | Union of Producers of Albese Wines (Albeisa)Barbaresco Geographical details of the DOCG down to single vineyards. The vineyards belonging to the comune Barbaresco can be found here |
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