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Monthly Tasting Group HWS #093; Italy: Gaja.

By CvR

Tasted November 12, 2014 by Zweder with 374 views

Introduction

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.

Flight 1 (3 notes)

White
2011 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Vistamare Toscana IGT Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
91 points
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.
White
2012 Gaja Langhe Alteni di Brassica Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
90 points
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.
White
2008 Gaja Langhe Rossj Bass Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
88 points
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.

Flight 2 (2 notes)

Red
2010 Gaja Cremes Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
87 points
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.
Red
2008 Gaja Langhe Sito Moresco Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
88 points
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.

Flight 3 (3 notes)

Red
2007 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Promis Toscana IGT Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
90 points
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+.
Red
2007 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Magari Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
91 points
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.
Red
2003 Ca' Marcanda (Gaja) Bolgheri Camarcanda Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri
92 points
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.

Flight 4 (3 notes)

Red
2004 Gaja Barolo Dagromis Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
92 points
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+
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2006 Gaja Barbaresco Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
93 points
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+
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2004 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sorì Tildìn Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
96 points
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+

Flight 5 (2 notes)

Red
2004 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino Rennina Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
92 points
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.
Red
2004 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
91 points
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.

Flight 6 (1 note)

Spirits
N.V. 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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