Gaja Winemaker's Dinner

Four Seasons, NYC
Tasted Tuesday, April 19, 2005 by 97mjr with 1,055 views

Introduction

I love wine, especially nebbiolos. However, I still have a difficult time--with some many great finds at $50-$40-$30-or even $20--spending over $100 on a bottle of wine. Though I own a few, Gaja wines are generally out of my price range. So this was quite an experience for me to try half-a-dozen Gaja wines side-by-side.

This night easily exceeded my expectations. First, Angelo Gaja is extremely charismatic. He spoke for 20 mins or so. He covered, based on other reports, some commonly addressed topics including family, Robert Mondavi/Opus One, and the standards of Gaja. Very enjoyable. Most notably, he said that Gaja has sold all of their 2002 crop and will likely do the same with 2003. Therefore 2001 may be the last vintage until 2004. After his speech he visited each table and spoke to everyone. At our table, he gave his analogy of Cali Cab (John Wayne) vs nebbiolo (Marcelo Mastroanni). Signed bottles and books and posed for pictures.

The food was excellent. I wondered whether it would be wedding reception quality food; simultaneously serving 250 people. It wasn't. The food was remarkably good and well paired. In addition, not only were the wine selections great, but the servers were very generous. In fact I was a little hungover the next morning.

Flight 1 - Reception (1 Note)

Flight 2 - Oregon Wild Mushroom Risotto with Quail Breast and Legs with Black Truffle (1 Note)

  • 2001 Gaja Langhe Sito Moresco 91 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

    Nearly equal parts Nebbiolo, Merlot, and Cab. Robust. Smoke, dark fruit, licorice, saddle leather, raspberry, meaty. Well-balanced, drinking well. A very nice table wine, would buy more.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 3 - Roasted Filet of Lamb, Morell Mushrooms and new Potatoes (2 Notes)

  • 1989 Gaja Barbaresco 94 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

    Balanced and mature. Dark fruit and saddle leather, smooth, long finish. Many at the table felt it was the best wine of the night. I prefer bigger wines, but this was well made by every measure. Drinking beautifully esp with the lamb.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2001 Gaja Barbaresco 92 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

    So young. Concentrated. Felt unbalanced without food; smoke, licorice, tannins. The lamb tempered the size of the wine and revealed its potential. The 1989 was preferred almost unanimously at the table. however the majority saw great potential in the 2001. I believe that this vintage will be a good investment for the future. Interestingly , Angelo Gaja stated that after this run of great vintages, they have sold all of their crop from 2002 and will likely sell all of their 2003 crop. (92-95)

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 4 - Four Seasons Farmhouse Duck, Pepper Sauce (2 Notes)

  • 1995 Gaja Barbaresco Sorì Tildìn 96 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

    WOTN. Superconcentrated, but smooth and balanced; ripe, cassis, dark red fruit, saddle leather. Unquestionably my favorite.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2001 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sorì Tildìn

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

    Tight, unremarkable. No detailed notes, but if you own it . . . put it down for a few years and hope for the best. Given the source good things will likely happen.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 5 - Braised Short Ribs of Beef, Celery and Salsify Puree (2 Notes)

  • 1995 Gaja Barolo Sperss 87 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    red fruit, tannins. Lacked complexity, fruit.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2001 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sperss 94 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

    Earthy nose coffee, blackberry. On the palate coffee, brown sugar, black fruit, occasional gamey quality, long finsh. Far better than the 1995 on every measure; drinking well now and will improve with time. Great stuff; my second favorite of the night

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Closing

Overall, this was great event; one of the best winetasting events that I have ever attended. It was sponsored by the Wine Library; I purchase a fair amount of wine from WL. And therefore I am familiar with their aggressive marketing. They promoted it as a once in a lifetime event. Though this may be a little exaggeration; it was certainly worth every penny.

×
×