Lungo e di indubbia qualità, ma questa bottiglia era un po’ troppo terziarizzata per il mio gusto. Speravo meglio. Un San Lorenzo stessa annata bevuto un anno fa giocava in un altro campionato.
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On the palate, spices largely dominate. The wine is structured, on the blackberry and the blueberry of a big density, then comes the second layer, much more evolved on the spices. It's powdery and peppery at the same time. The wine is racy, concentrated, but of a magnificent freshness, everything is harmonious, which stretches all in length. Magnificent explosive and lively finish, spicy, on an enormous length.
A great Gaja
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Sixteenth Annual White Truffle Dinner (Inovasi - Lake Bluff IL): In Gaja '97 Langhe Nebbiolo horizontal, all decanted 5 hours in advance. This was the star of the flight. More black than red cherry with so much spice and plenty of structure, just off center in the near background. Bright and powerful with a very ling finish.
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Great wine! Although you smell that the wine is older there is still a lot going on in the taste. Enough ripe dark fruit and a lot of complexity. Tannins for sure but not too stingy. Lots of tertiary aroma's. Every new sip was different. Awesome!
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The nose smells of peppermint and cedar. At the end of the bottle, the cigar will dominate.
The palate has a beautiful velvety touch, which allows the structure of the wine to loosen completely afterwards. Fortunately, given the intensity of the material. We are faced with a full and extremely well structured wine where spices and smoked meat mingle in the mouth. There is a lot of flexibility despite this concentration and it is pleasant for a wine grading at 14°. The balance is perfect and the tannins polished. The whole lives on the tongue but what is masterful about this wine is the finish of absolute flavor: it literally explodes on the palate on fine spices. Rarely have a wine of such length been seen without tiring the palate.
Excellent.
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Interesting since I didn't share notes from the previous bottle. It there was an Italian sister to Old World Burgundy this would be it. I would challenge anyone to put a Gevrey Chambertin of age alongside this and determine which was which. Having said that, the richness in the Burgundian terroir may be a slight give away but the structure with blood, meat, smoke, et al. is so similar the challenge would be formidable. Beautiful wine with feast of the seven fishes on Christmas eve.
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I thought this was one of the top 10 Italian wines I have ever had. Since I had just drunk gala 85 barbaresco and 71 barbaresco I would say this is like the 85 but with more fruit, a smoother more gentle texture, less earth but with an extremely balanced profile and a guilty pleasure of rich fruit. It's as if a modern super-tuscan had a baby with an 82 Pomerol (or basically, Gaja meets super opulent 1997 vintage). Tobacco and something like poultry herbs (think turkey stuffing with lots of herbs) mixed in with plummy (but not overripe) fruit. The vintage shows with the opulence but given Gaja wines always develop extreme complexity these two have married into something breathtaking and with many years ahead of it.
I immediately bought 6 more at the table. Went well with the food at Jungsik in Tribeca. If you are in NY - support them right now. They are building outdoor cabanas out of wood with heaters that are individual for tables of 4. Super covid safe.
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Similar to previous bottles in terms of color, aromatics, and flavor profile, but with significantly more oxidative notes throughout. I'd file this under "bottle variation" rather than "flawed", as it's still an enjoyable wine, but at no point was it close to the fireworks that previous bottles have exhibited.
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Tim's 50th Dinner #2: Blind. Chocolate, earthy, cherry and liquorice on the nose. Really nice structure here, the medium weight fruit plays well along with a little acid kick through the mid palate. Still drinking really well.
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On release, these were large-scaled and muscular wines. This bottle was rich but light, very Burgundian in nature with classic Nebbiolo spine and crunchy acidity.
Opens up with a floral bouquet of rose petals, red fruits, leather, tar and spice. Subtle sweet touch on the palate of cherry licorice with truffle and earth tertiary flavors. At this stage, tannins sit nicely in the background. An enjoyable and charming ‘97 Gaja Sorì Tildìn drinking in a wonderful spot right now.
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The Stars of Barbaresco (Michaeangelo Hotel): Wine is a personal thing and this wine is a great example of that. Group's favorite of the tasting. For me it was almost undrinkable at this stage. Lots of oak. Felt a bit like chewing wood grains. Really hard to get to the other flavors. If I concentrated a lot, maybe some licorice? Some nut? But really mostly wood. Might calm down with some more years - I find I am most excited about highly oaked wines when they are at least 30 and more often 40 years old and by that market this would still be a baby.
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I seem to not be heeding my own advice to let this one rest for a few years. Why? Because it's kind of irresistible right now, especially on a crisp fall day, with a plate of chanterelles in a cream sauce with linguini. Consistent with previous tasting notes, and delivering the goods.
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Slow-oxed for one hour, and then into a decanter. In the glass, reddish-garnet at the rim, shading to reddish-black at the core. On the nose, reticent notes of rose, herbs, and tar. Can a 21-year old wine be going through a dumb phase? Aromatically, it feels like this one is. On the palate, silky plums, rosewater, and tobacco/tar lurking in the background, with fine tannins all over a long finish. Balanced, complex, and holding something in reserve. Certainly a really nice wine right now, but I'd bet there is a long slow improvement ahead...
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Gaja Sori Tilden White Truffle Dinner (Ai Fiori): Pleasant rusticity on the nose above spiced red berry fruit. Ripe perfume. Palate is still bold with red and black fruit. Nicely resolved. A degree More spice in the ‘97 than any of the other vintages thus far.
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Tight and unforgiving on first night. snug tannin and acidity with flavours slowly unfolding via triple decanting for 2 hours. the remaining 1/3 showed much better 2 days later. A full blossom without tertiary flavours developed, but an interesting structure. The tannin is still firm and strong like the roof of a house, but the flavours are dripping down from the top of it like rainwater flowing down from the roof. Keep this wine for another 10-20 years and something great might be there.
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A part of what I think has been the greatest trio of related wines I ever tasted together; the 1997 Sorì San Lorenzo, Costa Russi and the Sorì Tildìn. Part of our dinner series with Heinz. Opened and decanted for about 3 hours. Despite the already 18 years of aging, this wine was a youngster in every way. Classic tar and roses with prunes notes. Tannins still notable on the palate but well integrated with the fruit. Long. Lots of potential here.
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Monfortino 1971 Dinner: Tar and charcoal up front with dark chocolate, cherry and graphite aromas. The palate shows more fruit sweetness with the tannins sitting in the background nicely doing their job. Good acidity to it as well keeps it bright. I think this is drinking really well now and should continue to do so over 5-10 years.
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Open and complex red fruit nose with red apple to cherry and strawberry purée. Violets, clove, some tar, leather, graphite and wood oil. Brightly structured silky palatal feel with rather pronounced acidity - especially after popping the cork. Red fruits, fresh plums, liquorice and some tobacco. Long aftertaste, but with a touch of heat, which wasn't a problem with food though. Drank alongside -97 Costa Russi and Sorì San Lorenzo this was the most red-toned and elegant with most acidity and least amount of tar/tobacco/earth. I saved some for the 2nd day: finely textured meatier expression, but less aromatic and oak more pronounced.
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This is terrific wine. Big, bright, attention grabbing. I just enjoyed drinking this on a night with many other wines. The bright cherry certainly came through but was contained and complemented by myriad other notes. Tasted alongside the Sori San Lorenzo of the same year, which was in a way a deeper, more serious wine, but perhaps not as enjoyable as this one.
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Renk mat, koyu bordo, kenarlar hafifçe kiremit. Burunda toprak, katran, fıçı, çay, siyah meyveler. Ayrıca küçük fıçıdan kaynaklanan kızarmış ekmek kokusu. Damakta dolgun, yumuşak tanenli, sağlam yapılı, alkol, asit ve meyvesi dengeli, baharatlı. Uzun bitişli.
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Spicy cherries, herbs, earth, truffle and and licorice. Round in texture and still tannic, this medium/full bodied wine ends with fresh strawberry, herb and tart cherry flavors.
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double decanted 6 hours ahead of time -and am very glad! by dinner this was amazing - rich, full, complex -though still very young. Loved the power and balance - this is and will continue to evolve into an amazing wine - can't wait to have it when it is truly ready - maybe in 10+ years? Loved it!
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Beautiful and complex bouquet with oak, sweetness, menthol and red fruits; very elegant. Same on the palate. Herbs and spices as well. Red fruits, rose hips, very good tannin. Really complex and all in perfect harmony. Ready now, but will stay on this level for many years.
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opened/audouzed 4 hours prior to tasting. bold and full in the mouth. very rounded, well integrated tannins that are smooth and supple. fruit forward, but shows great depth. easily the most complete of the gajas tasted tonight, and my WOTN. unabashedly modern and delicious.
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G6 (Jeff): Deep ruby color. Cedar and cherry nose. Tastes of blackberry, cherry, earth and leather. Chewy tannins. Rich finish with good depth and complexity. My personal favorite of all the Gaja wines tasted this evening.
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Soft milk chocolate, soft fruits, full bodied, a little pleasant sweetness, soft and pleasant bitterness. Great wine! Complex, beautiful fruits, good oak and still very youthful. Give it enough air.
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A treat to taste, but not yet ready for business. Color is medium garnet with a slight lightening at the rim. Nose shows dark cherry, dust, a hint of rose petal, and significant oak. On the palate, the wine is still unresolved. Intense chewy cherry is met with leather, dust and earth. Tannins are quite significant and not yet integrated. The stuff is all there, but it needs another 10 years to show it. Thanks to Bill Wood for bringing this prized wine.
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2/12/2023 - AWBryce wrote:
Excellent, weighty nice , baking spices, red fruits, forest floor, complex; palate is balanced, great fruit, long. In a great place
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11/20/2022 - fadincvaros Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lungo e di indubbia qualità, ma questa bottiglia era un po’ troppo terziarizzata per il mio gusto. Speravo meglio. Un San Lorenzo stessa annata bevuto un anno fa giocava in un altro campionato.
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10/15/2022 - Wine_lvr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Now at its peak. Still very nice wine. Solid but I expected more. 94/100
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6/24/2022 - Benoit Hardy Likes this wine: 96 Points
Nose of black fruits and leather.
On the palate, spices largely dominate. The wine is structured, on the blackberry and the blueberry of a big density, then comes the second layer, much more evolved on the spices. It's powdery and peppery at the same time. The wine is racy, concentrated, but of a magnificent freshness, everything is harmonious, which stretches all in length. Magnificent explosive and lively finish, spicy, on an enormous length.
A great Gaja
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12/4/2021 - Burgundy Al wrote: 94 Points
Sixteenth Annual White Truffle Dinner (Inovasi - Lake Bluff IL): In Gaja '97 Langhe Nebbiolo horizontal, all decanted 5 hours in advance. This was the star of the flight. More black than red cherry with so much spice and plenty of structure, just off center in the near background. Bright and powerful with a very ling finish.
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8/18/2021 - nruigrok wrote: 95 Points
Great wine! Although you smell that the wine is older there is still a lot going on in the taste. Enough ripe dark fruit and a lot of complexity. Tannins for sure but not too stingy. Lots of tertiary aroma's. Every new sip was different. Awesome!
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1/23/2021 - Benoit Hardy Likes this wine: 95 Points
The nose smells of peppermint and cedar. At the end of the bottle, the cigar will dominate.
The palate has a beautiful velvety touch, which allows the structure of the wine to loosen completely afterwards. Fortunately, given the intensity of the material. We are faced with a full and extremely well structured wine where spices and smoked meat mingle in the mouth. There is a lot of flexibility despite this concentration and it is pleasant for a wine grading at 14°. The balance is perfect and the tannins polished. The whole lives on the tongue but what is masterful about this wine is the finish of absolute flavor: it literally explodes on the palate on fine spices. Rarely have a wine of such length been seen without tiring the palate.
Excellent.
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12/27/2020 - BillyT wrote: 96 Points
Interesting since I didn't share notes from the previous bottle. It there was an Italian sister to Old World Burgundy this would be it. I would challenge anyone to put a Gevrey Chambertin of age alongside this and determine which was which. Having said that, the richness in the Burgundian terroir may be a slight give away but the structure with blood, meat, smoke, et al. is so similar the challenge would be formidable. Beautiful wine with feast of the seven fishes on Christmas eve.
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11/21/2020 - Trent Walker wrote: 98 Points
I thought this was one of the top 10 Italian wines I have ever had. Since I had just drunk gala 85 barbaresco and 71 barbaresco I would say this is like the 85 but with more fruit, a smoother more gentle texture, less earth but with an extremely balanced profile and a guilty pleasure of rich fruit. It's as if a modern super-tuscan had a baby with an 82 Pomerol (or basically, Gaja meets super opulent 1997 vintage). Tobacco and something like poultry herbs (think turkey stuffing with lots of herbs) mixed in with plummy (but not overripe) fruit. The vintage shows with the opulence but given Gaja wines always develop extreme complexity these two have married into something breathtaking and with many years ahead of it.
I immediately bought 6 more at the table. Went well with the food at Jungsik in Tribeca. If you are in NY - support them right now. They are building outdoor cabanas out of wood with heaters that are individual for tables of 4. Super covid safe.
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9/25/2020 - jshufelt wrote: 91 Points
Similar to previous bottles in terms of color, aromatics, and flavor profile, but with significantly more oxidative notes throughout. I'd file this under "bottle variation" rather than "flawed", as it's still an enjoyable wine, but at no point was it close to the fireworks that previous bottles have exhibited.
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7/17/2020 - CamWheeler wrote: 93 Points
Tim's 50th Dinner #2: Blind. Chocolate, earthy, cherry and liquorice on the nose. Really nice structure here, the medium weight fruit plays well along with a little acid kick through the mid palate. Still drinking really well.
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4/3/2020 - willfab60 wrote: flawed
Cloudy and musty.
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3/7/2020 - hprphf wrote: 95 Points
Just so open, balanced, lovely sweet, and concentrated with explosion of spice. 95
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2/5/2020 - La Flama Blanca Likes this wine: 94 Points
On release, these were large-scaled and muscular wines. This bottle was rich but light, very Burgundian in nature with classic Nebbiolo spine and crunchy acidity.
Opens up with a floral bouquet of rose petals, red fruits, leather, tar and spice. Subtle sweet touch on the palate of cherry licorice with truffle and earth tertiary flavors. At this stage, tannins sit nicely in the background. An enjoyable and charming ‘97 Gaja Sorì Tildìn drinking in a wonderful spot right now.
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12/7/2019 - jshufelt wrote: 95 Points
Consistent with previous tasting note (the wine, the score, and even the meal!) What a great wine.
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4/18/2019 - MC2 Wines wrote:
The Stars of Barbaresco (Michaeangelo Hotel): Wine is a personal thing and this wine is a great example of that. Group's favorite of the tasting. For me it was almost undrinkable at this stage. Lots of oak. Felt a bit like chewing wood grains. Really hard to get to the other flavors. If I concentrated a lot, maybe some licorice? Some nut? But really mostly wood. Might calm down with some more years - I find I am most excited about highly oaked wines when they are at least 30 and more often 40 years old and by that market this would still be a baby.
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11/4/2018 - jshufelt wrote: 95 Points
I seem to not be heeding my own advice to let this one rest for a few years. Why? Because it's kind of irresistible right now, especially on a crisp fall day, with a plate of chanterelles in a cream sauce with linguini. Consistent with previous tasting notes, and delivering the goods.
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9/2/2018 - jshufelt wrote: 94 Points
Consistent with previous bottle - this is really nice right now, but at the same time, it's holding more in reserve...
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7/19/2018 - jshufelt wrote: 94 Points
Slow-oxed for one hour, and then into a decanter. In the glass, reddish-garnet at the rim, shading to reddish-black at the core. On the nose, reticent notes of rose, herbs, and tar. Can a 21-year old wine be going through a dumb phase? Aromatically, it feels like this one is. On the palate, silky plums, rosewater, and tobacco/tar lurking in the background, with fine tannins all over a long finish. Balanced, complex, and holding something in reserve. Certainly a really nice wine right now, but I'd bet there is a long slow improvement ahead...
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11/9/2017 - The Vines That Bind wrote: 92 Points
Gaja Sori Tilden White Truffle Dinner (Ai Fiori): Pleasant rusticity on the nose above spiced red berry fruit. Ripe perfume. Palate is still bold with red and black fruit. Nicely resolved. A degree More spice in the ‘97 than any of the other vintages thus far.
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7/1/2017 - bacchuszuo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tight and unforgiving on first night. snug tannin and acidity with flavours slowly unfolding via triple decanting for 2 hours. the remaining 1/3 showed much better 2 days later. A full blossom without tertiary flavours developed, but an interesting structure. The tannin is still firm and strong like the roof of a house, but the flavours are dripping down from the top of it like rainwater flowing down from the roof. Keep this wine for another 10-20 years and something great might be there.
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11/7/2015 - Milos Likes this wine: 96 Points
A part of what I think has been the greatest trio of related wines I ever tasted together; the 1997 Sorì San Lorenzo, Costa Russi and the Sorì Tildìn. Part of our dinner series with Heinz. Opened and decanted for about 3 hours. Despite the already 18 years of aging, this wine was a youngster in every way. Classic tar and roses with prunes notes. Tannins still notable on the palate but well integrated with the fruit. Long. Lots of potential here.
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7/31/2014 - fcxj wrote: 90 Points
Ok
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6/14/2014 - CamWheeler wrote: 93 Points
Monfortino 1971 Dinner: Tar and charcoal up front with dark chocolate, cherry and graphite aromas. The palate shows more fruit sweetness with the tannins sitting in the background nicely doing their job. Good acidity to it as well keeps it bright. I think this is drinking really well now and should continue to do so over 5-10 years.
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12/16/2013 - avp wrote:
Open and complex red fruit nose with red apple to cherry and strawberry purée. Violets, clove, some tar, leather, graphite and wood oil.
Brightly structured silky palatal feel with rather pronounced acidity - especially after popping the cork. Red fruits, fresh plums, liquorice and some tobacco. Long aftertaste, but with a touch of heat, which wasn't a problem with food though.
Drank alongside -97 Costa Russi and Sorì San Lorenzo this was the most red-toned and elegant with most acidity and least amount of tar/tobacco/earth.
I saved some for the 2nd day: finely textured meatier expression, but less aromatic and oak more pronounced.
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6/17/2013 - Topper Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is terrific wine. Big, bright, attention grabbing. I just enjoyed drinking this on a night with many other wines. The bright cherry certainly came through but was contained and complemented by myriad other notes. Tasted alongside the Sori San Lorenzo of the same year, which was in a way a deeper, more serious wine, but perhaps not as enjoyable as this one.
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5/7/2013 - winetuning Likes this wine: 98 Points
Renk mat, koyu bordo, kenarlar hafifçe kiremit. Burunda toprak, katran, fıçı, çay, siyah meyveler. Ayrıca küçük fıçıdan kaynaklanan kızarmış ekmek kokusu. Damakta dolgun, yumuşak tanenli, sağlam yapılı, alkol, asit ve meyvesi dengeli, baharatlı. Uzun bitişli.
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1/13/2013 - uberoh wrote: 98 Points
Loved this wine - decanted for 3+ hours - full body, great complexity and balance!!
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11/28/2011 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Spicy cherries, herbs, earth, truffle and and licorice. Round in texture and still tannic, this medium/full bodied wine ends with fresh strawberry, herb and tart cherry flavors.
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11/7/2011 - uberoh wrote: 97 Points
double decanted 6 hours ahead of time -and am very glad! by dinner this was amazing - rich, full, complex -though still very young. Loved the power and balance - this is and will continue to evolve into an amazing wine - can't wait to have it when it is truly ready - maybe in 10+ years? Loved it!
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5/16/2010 - Zweder wrote: 95 Points
Beautiful and complex bouquet with oak, sweetness, menthol and red fruits; very elegant. Same on the palate. Herbs and spices as well. Red fruits, rose hips, very good tannin. Really complex and all in perfect harmony. Ready now, but will stay on this level for many years.
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2/23/2010 - Rupert wrote: 90 Points
Gaja Sorė Tildėn vertical 1970 to 2005 (Institute of Directors, London): Full, rich, ripe, strong and chewy, approachable now
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6/29/2009 - jeff nowak wrote: 95 Points
opened/audouzed 4 hours prior to tasting. bold and full in the mouth. very rounded, well integrated tannins that are smooth and supple. fruit forward, but shows great depth. easily the most complete of the gajas tasted tonight, and my WOTN. unabashedly modern and delicious.
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6/29/2009 - kstoddard wrote: 92 Points
G6 (Jeff): Deep ruby color. Cedar and cherry nose. Tastes of blackberry, cherry, earth and leather. Chewy tannins. Rich finish with good depth and complexity. My personal favorite of all the Gaja wines tasted this evening.
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4/9/2009 - Zweder wrote: 96 Points
Soft milk chocolate, soft fruits, full bodied, a little pleasant sweetness, soft and pleasant bitterness. Great wine! Complex, beautiful fruits, good oak and still very youthful. Give it enough air.
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5/28/2006 - Thilo wrote: 95 Points
A treat to taste, but not yet ready for business. Color is medium garnet with a slight lightening at the rim. Nose shows dark cherry, dust, a hint of rose petal, and significant oak. On the palate, the wine is still unresolved. Intense chewy cherry is met with leather, dust and earth. Tannins are quite significant and not yet integrated. The stuff is all there, but it needs another 10 years to show it. Thanks to Bill Wood for bringing this prized wine.
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