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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.2 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 19 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Sotto325 on 12/10/2018 & rated 95 points: An absolutely dead-on Nebbiolo experience from the master. While not as complex or deeply rich as a great vintage ST, this was round, full of deep dark earth, had just enough of that cherry to provide input but not dominate, and a smokey wet oak taste lingering in the background. Some mild mushrooms and rough brush rounded ou the great experience. Little decanting needed. (2475 views) | | | Tasted by kenv on 7/14/2018 & rated 94 points: The Kirsch Italian Extravaganza (677 Prime, Albany, NY): [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Huge black cherry nose. Shockingly big and rich for a 93. Long, complex, licorice, tar and plums. This has to be the wine of the vintage. (3017 views) | | | Tasted by steinersing on 5/19/2018 & rated 91 points: Very backward, nose never really showed much, also not after 2 hours. Material seems good, just introvert now. (2795 views) | | | Tasted by Burgundy Al on 11/7/2017 & rated 93 points: This wine has taken a long time to emerge from its backward shell, but it has been worth the wait. Intense clove, allspice and black pepper aromas with lots of black cherry and liqueur hints. Same flavors, slightly more fruit centric with slightly less spice. Very good weight, length and balance. (3443 views) | | | Tasted by KenK on 10/9/2017 & rated 93 points: Cubs Playoff Wines (Lake Forest, IL): Lovely wine showing dark aromas of black fruit and rose petal. Good concentration and nice black spices complement the bright acid structure. Very good sour cherry flavors through. Drink or hold. (3459 views) | | | Tasted by Javachip on 7/30/2015 & rated 89 points: Cork crumbled and removed in many small pieces. Allowed to breathe in glass 20 minutes before tasting. Clear medium blood-ruby red with colorless meniscus. Evolved, tertiary bouquet of old leather furniture, tar, rose petals, hints of pine needles and wintergreen. Similar on the palate, with faded sour cherries and rhubarb in the background. Concentrated and assertive, balanced, firm tannins, not much fruit left. (2907 views) | | | Tasted by tommydiesel on 7/4/2011 & rated 89 points: Drinking window reflects that this wine has expired. Although not Gaja's best offering, this wine still has plenty of life remaining. Thinner than most, the cherry fruit still prevails. tannins have softened and it paired well with the Reggiano thru the Filet and shrimp combo. (6066 views) | | | Tasted by MatthewF on 6/22/2010: Celebration Dinner (Inovasi, Lake Bluff, IL): From Magnum. Dark red berries, earth, iron notes, tar. Beautiful floral; rose petals. Bits of smoke. Red cherry and cranberry on the palate. Medium body with great acidity throughout. Good structure remaining. Gripping finish. (6172 views) | | | Tasted by Burgundy Al on 6/22/2010: Birthday Dinner (Inovasi - Lake Bluff IL): From magnum Aromas of black cherry, plum, licorice, then some roses in the background. Massively structured on palate, hard to really enjoy or assess. Great spice on finish with signs of black fruit as well. Give this plenty of time. (6093 views) | | | Tasted by ewineguy on 8/4/2008 & rated 87 points: We enjoyed this at a business meal in Laguna Beach. It was a nice glass of wine. Its color was not as dark as you might expect from a Barbaresco and there were no popping flavors. It was a plain pleasant smooth wine. Gaija Gaja mentioned this wine at a Canadian tasting and even she admitted it was weak compared to so the 88 and 89s. It went well with the prosciutto and cheese being served. It followed a great Kistler Chard and was chased by an 86 Lafite. Sorry I could not paint it better but that was all I got out of it. (5930 views) | | | Tasted by wineismylife on 6/5/2006 & rated 90 points: DAWGS Offline with mattach and PurpleHaze (Mi Piaci's in Addison, TX): WIML90,WA87,WS93
Tasted June 5, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Spiegelau Authentis Magnum glass. Reddish plum color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of leather, anise, blackberries and dried herbs. Flavors of Bing cherries, red berries and a touch of red licorice on the earthy finish. Light acidity with integrated to velvety tannins. Just a smidge better than the Sori San Lorenzo at the same tasting even though not reflected in my numerical rating. Drink over the next two years. No value recommendation. (5505 views) | | | Tasted by win on 6/5/2006 & rated 92 points: Had alongside a 1993 Gaja San Lorenzo. Slightly preferred the Costa Russi, which was a bit lighter, and had more fruit. (5358 views) | | | Tasted by Jaco2112 on 11/26/2005 & rated 89 points: OK with Pizza. This is just not worth $150. (4157 views) | | | Tasted by Jaco2112 on 11/6/2005 & rated 91 points: Very good, but not worth the $150 plus auction premium paid. (4067 views) | | | Tasted by Jeff W on 11/6/2004 & rated 91 points: Rich, powerful and very tannic. Lots of primary fruit, sweet and acidic. This is a big wine. (4511 views) | | | Tasted by jamiekutch on 11/5/2004 & rated 92 points: London Italian Blowout.. 24 Tn's: (London): Smooth coats the mouth - mushroom and barnyard.. Perfume nose.. Slightly drying.. Tannins still slightly evident which lead to a slight bitterness. A nice Gaja and a good match with the dish. (6030 views) | | | Tasted by Burgundy Al on 5/3/2003 & rated 91 points: Wine tasting. Bright and vibrant color. Very large scaled fruit and tannins.Not particularly friendly to start, but broad and powerful on long, evolving finish. Stash away for another decade+. (1963 views) |
| 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 criticsNebbioloNebbiolo 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 CellarTrackerCosta RussiThrough the 1995 vintage, the Gaja single cru Costa Russi was labeled as Barbaresco. However, starting with 1996 Gaja formally chose to eschew the DOCG requirements for Barbaresco (for example, by blending Barbera and Cabernet Sauvignon into the wines when only Nebbiolo is allowed in Barbaresco DOCG) in favor of the more humble Langhe DOC appellation. What this means is that these wines are defined two ways with 1995 and older as Barbaresco and 1996 and newer as Langhe DOC.Italy 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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