Tasting of Wines From Gaja Family Estates

Tasting presented by Angelo Gaja’s daughter, Gaia, who noted that after 1996, the Barbarescos had about 5% Barbera added, and the wine names changed to the individual sites.

Charming and knowledgeable.

The estate comprises 110 Hectares of vineyards and employs 70 people.
In addition to the vineyards in Piemonte, they also have holdings in the Montalcino area in Tuscany and in the Bolgheri district at Castagneto Carducci, which lies South of Livorno.

Gaia Gaja presented 8 wines to demonstrate the breadth of the Family Estates.

• 2005 Gaja Langhe Chardonnay Gaia & Rey

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Named for Angelo’s daughter, Gaia, and his grandmother, Clotilde Rey.
  From a vineyard planted in 1979 situated in Treiso and Serralunga.
  Fermented in stainless steel – aged up to 8 months in new and slightly used barriques – full malolactic fermentation.
  Pale yellow in colour; some floral aromas, but mostly tree fruits – pear, apple and peach, with a touch of honey; quite full – crisp acidity – lemony acidity – attractive Chardonnay fruit flavours; balanced finish – quite persistent.

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• 2005 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Magari

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Bordeaux style blend – 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc.
  Aged 12 months in new and slightly used barriques.
  Deep ruby in colour; blackberry and currant aromas with a mix of smoky oak; sweet currant fruit flavours; good structure – soft tannins, which carry through the finish. A young wine which should evolve over the next few years .

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• 2004 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Costa Russi

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Single Vineyard – Costa Russi - 95% Nebbiolo, 5% Barbera – vines from the Barbaresco region. Aged 12 months in barriques and 12 months in large oak casks.
  Medium ruby colour; nose features some cedar together with the black cherry fruit; round ad rich on the palate; rope black cherry fruit; good acidity and soft tannins lying beneath the fruit; finishes with some tannins accompanying the fruit – slight licorice note.

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• 2004 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sorì Tildìn

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Another single vineyard wine – same blend and same winemaking process as the Costa Russi – name comes from the nickname of Angelo Gaja’s grandmother, Clotilde Rey.
  Quite dark – darker than the Costa Russi – good depth of purple toned ruby; blackberry and cherry fruit on the nose – good depth – and some light floral in the background; more elegant on the palate – while the tannins are evident, they are not as aggressive as with the Costa Russi; good balance of fruit, acidity and tannins, extending to the mid palate; rich and round – ripe tannins overshadowed by the dark fruit – mostly black cherry; sweeter finish – fine length.

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• 2004 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sorì San Lorenzo

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Single vineyard – hilltop location – same blend and winemaking process as the previous two wines. San Lorenzo was the patron saint of Alba’s cathedral, while Sori means hilltop.
  A bright cherry red colour; pronounced cherry fruit on the nose; lots of dark cherry fruit and a bit of licorice in the flavours, but there is a thrust of tannins as well; good structure; lacking some harmony at this stage, which may come as the tannins are absorbed more fully; this is a powerful wine, but time is needed to soften it and round out the edges.

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• 1996 Gaja Barbaresco

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Bright ruby in colour; aromas are warm and inviting, with some smoke and roasted nuts to go with the dark fruit – pleasing and fully penetrates the nostrils; flavours are cherry preserves, with the tannins now moderating; dense wine – solid structure; much easier finish than the 2004’s.

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• 1998 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sperss

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Grapes harvested from this 30-acre vineyard ( Sperss ) in the Serralunga region – 94% Nebbiolo ad 6% Barbera; aged 12 months in barriques and 18 months in large oak casks.
  Deep garnet ruby in colour with an amber rim; deep fruit on the nose, coupled with hints of licorice and a molten tar element; round smooth entry; excellent structure; fine balance; flavours of deep blackberry fruit, with some licorice and spice; finishes very long, with the tannins lasting through.

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• 2003 Gaja Langhe Darmagi

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  From a vineyard ( Darmagi ) converted from indigenous varietals to Cabernet Sauvignon in 1978. This wine is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Aged up to 8 months in barriques, followed by 12 months in large oak casks.
  Extremely dark ruby – full to the rim; attractive thrust of sweet black currant fruit on the nose; supple, easy entry; harmony of the elements; fine depth through the mid-palate; cassis flavours abound – clean and pure; very long satisfying finish where the fruit lasts.
  Found this wine very attractive.

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• 2001 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino Rennina

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  From 3 vineyards situated in the Rennina zone of Pieve S. Restituta. Following 3 weeks fermentation in steel tanks, the wine then spent 18 months in barriques and 2 years in bottle.
  Medium ruby colour; penetrating nose with some floral and spice on the edge of the ripe berry fruit; significant tannins noted – good structure – acidity in check; round, full blackberry flavours; finishes long with the tannins quite strong, although the fruit also carries it.

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