Monthly Tasting Group HWS #093; Italy: Gaja.

Every participant had to bring a wine of the theme. We did not know which wines were brought by the others. All wines were tasted blind, also without knowing when the wine you brought was poured.

On this occasion I got a special offer of a retailer for 6 bottles. So the persons who did not have a bottle of the theme could participate in this purchase.

I did not organize this tasting, so for me all bottles were poured blind as well.

• 2011 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Vistamare Toscana IGT 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Beautiful bouquet with a firm dose of oak, but also blossom, anise, yellow tropical fruits and minerals. On the palate very tasty with white and yellow fruits, some white pepper, some vanilla from the oak, but well balanced and integrated. Beautiful acidity and some bitterness. Good length. Beautiful wine, ready now and the next few years.

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• 2012 Gaja Langhe Alteni di Brassica 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Minerals, white and tropical yellow fruits in the bouquet as well as some nuts. On the palate a somewhat sweet start with ripe yellow and white fruits like pear, vanilla, limited acidity and some bitterness. The wine is juicy and spreads through the mouth. Very good and special Sauvignon Blanc with a good length.

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• 2008 Gaja Langhe Rossj Bass 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Beautiful bouquet with yellow and white fruits as well as some vanilla. On the palate a bit fat, with yellow fruits like pineapple, some grasses, muscatel, litchi, honey and minerals. Special wine and ready now but no hurry.

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• 2010 Gaja Cremes 87 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Harsh cherries in the bouquet as well as on the palate, some spices and toast as well. Some licorice and vanilla. Ok acidity, tannin with a bite and some bitterness. Not really complex, but certainly an ok wine.

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• 2008 Gaja Langhe Sito Moresco 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Expressive bouquet with dark cherries and forest fruits as well as some chocolate. Same on the palate, earthy and herbaceous also. Some graphite. Firm acidity and tannin which is also round. Some bitterness and a good length. Early maturity now and probably a bit better in 2 – 4 years from now. 88+ for tonight.

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• 2007 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Promis Toscana IGT 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Beautiful and expressive bouquet with cherries, luxurious oak, sweet spices and nutmeg. On the palate a rustic and firm wine with dark forest fruits and plums, a touch of sweetness, mild acidity and round tannin and bitterness. Good length. A mouth full. Early maturity now and certainly nice until 2019+.

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• 2007 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Magari 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  The bouquet has cherries and dark forest fruits, luxurious oak, sweet spices, clove and a touch of pleasant barnyard. Very subtle. On the palate a lot of sweet spices, red and dark Berry fruits, a beautiful balance between sweetness and acidity and soft and round tannin with still a good bite. Some smoke and mild bitterness as well. Beautiful and complex wine. Ready now and the next 3+ years.

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• 2003 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Bolgheri Camarcanda 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri

  Rustic bouquet with a touch of barnyard. On the palate a lot of chocolate, espresso, some tea , some sweetness and sage. Firm and fresh, but soft acidity and tannin. Ready now with still a promise for the future. 92+ for tonight.

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• 2004 Gaja Barolo Dagromis 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Rustic and beautiful bouquet with earthy, autumn and truffle. Also some coffee. On the palate chocolate, red and dark berry fruits, some earth, herbs and spices, minerals, pleasant and good acidity and round tannin with a good bite. Good length and overall a beautiful and complex wine. Ready now and a future until at least 2018. 92+

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• 2006 Gaja Barbaresco 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Beautiful bouquet with luxurious oak, chocolate, hay and coffee. On the palate a very juicy wine with red and dark forest fruits, vanilla, forest floor, some licorice, a touch of sweetness beautifully balanced by the acidity. Beautiful tannin with still a good future. Rich wine with good freshness and a lot of finesse. Early maturity now and a future into the 2020´s. Really beautiful and refined wine. 93+

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• 2004 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sorì Tildìn 96 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Extremely beautiful bouquet with at first some barnyard which blows off, beautiful oak, cedar, leather, cherries, mint and autumn impressions. On the palate juicy red and dark forest fruits, a beautiful balance between acidity and sweetness. Great and firm but round tannin. Beautiful balance. A great wine with an enormous length and still a great future until into the 2020´s. Without any doubt the WOTN. 96+

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• 2004 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino Rennina 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Beautiful bouquet, complex and deep and refined. I did not write down any details, but every sniff gave something new to discover. On the palate dark and red berry fruits, sweet spices, some licorice, pleasant sweetness and good acidity and tannin. A complex and refined wine and a great pleasure now and a future until at least 2018.

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• 2004 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  The bouquet starts with some tea, followed by chocolate, autumn forest, celery, earth, mushrooms and iodine. On the palate chocolate and a lot of sweet spices like cinnamon and vanilla. Silky soft tannin and beautiful acidity. On the palate still very lively. Reading the notes here I wonder if we had a perfect bottle. Although still extremely beautiful there are tertiary impressions as well. Certainly a great wine, but considering the bottle we had tonight I don´t write down any future expectations. Now might be the best moment to drink this wine.

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• NV Gaja Grappa di Barbaresco

  Italy, Piedmont, Piemonte DOC

  I am not a regular grappa drinker. Even though there is more than 40% abv, this grappa is soft and smooth and very clean. Some chocolate impressions as well. No score.

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