Gaja 150 year Celebration at Vinitaly 2009

Vinitaly, Verona Fiere, Italy
Tasted Saturday, April 4, 2009 by socidelvino with 412 views

Introduction

We joined a charity tasting event hosted by Angelo Gaja and his family at the opening of Vinitaly 2009. The event celebrated the 150 years of Gaja wines. Panel included Jancis Robinson and Guido Rivella. Event raised EUR 25k for the hospital in Alba. Attendance of about 75 people. Angelo mentioned that his objective is to display his artistry and not to grow too big. Angelo started at the estate in 1961 following his father, Giovanni.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

First plantings in 1979. Area of Barbaresco. Fermented in SS with 7-9 mo in barrique. 2nd fermentation. unfiltered. 1 year in bottle.

  • 1994 Gaja Langhe Chardonnay Gaia & Rey 89 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

    Tasted at Gaja 150 year Celebration at Vinitaly 2009

    Eye: light gold color. Nose: oak, caramel. Mouth: good acidity but yet some creaminess and good structure.

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Flight 2 (1 Note)

Darmagi means "what a pity" - words spoken by father when cab sauv was planted in Piemonte. Planted in 1978. First vintage in 1982.

  • 1997 Gaja Langhe Darmagi 90 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

    Tasted at Gaja 150 year Celebration at Vinitaly 2009

    Eye: dark violet. Nose: licorice, cassis. Mouth: full bodied, cherries, smoke.

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

First vintage in 1995 but hail damage limited. Reminds of Barbaresco.

  • 1996 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Conteisa 90 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

    Tasted at Gaja 150 year Celebration at Vinitaly 2009

    Eye: deep garnet color. Nose: leather, balsamic, vanilla, cherry. Mouth: blackberry, cassis, cherry, phenols, good tannins and structure.

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Flight 4 (1 Note)

Bought the vineyards in 1988. Sperss means "nostalgia" in local dialect. Different personality than Conteisa. Furthest away from Lamorra. First Barolo growth was in 1989 - buying grapes 1961-1988.

  • 1989 Gaja Barolo Sperss 90 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Tasted at Gaja 150 year Celebration at Vinitaly 2009

    Eye: garnet color, almost twinkling. Nose: truffles, blackberry, leather. Mouth: vanilla, cherry, good tannins and structure.

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Flight 5 (1 Note)

Bought vineyard in 1964 from church in Alba. First vintage in 1967. Vein of sand in some areas helps with dryness of soil. Single vineyard. Name means top of hill with sun exposure. Three generations of Barbaresco.

  • 1988 Gaja Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo 90 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

    Tasted at Gaja 150 year Celebration at Vinitaly 2009

    Eye: dark ruby color. Nose: dried fruits, earthy; Mouth: vanilla, cherry, good tannins, balanced finish

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Flight 6 (1 Note)

Wine produced by father Giovanni. Greatest in 1961.

  • 1964 Gaja Barbaresco 87 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

    Tasted at Gaja 150 year Celebration at Vinitaly 2009

    Eye: brownish garnet color. Nose: dried fruit, earthy, opened more after further aerating. Mouth: some sweetness, mature, low tannins, soft finish.

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Closing

This was our first organized tasting event to join and it was an exceptional treat.

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