Angelo Gaja

Der rubinrote Sito Moresco zeigt sich betont frisch und fruchtig. Im Bouquet Aromen reifer Kirschen, Beeren, unterlegt von feinen Gewürznoten. Der satte Geschmack breitet sich kraftvoll mit dicht gewobenem Tannin aus, mineralisch im Finale. SUPERIORE.DE

Rossj Bass - benannt nach Angelo Gajas Tochter Rossana: Strahlend goldgelb, feines Bouquet nach Zitrusfrüchten und Wiesenblumen mit einer zarten Honignote. Elegant am Gaumen und von bemerkenswerter Tiefe, Komplexität und Länge. SUPERIORE.DE

Rossj Bass - benannt nach Angelo Gajas Tochter Rossana: Strahlend goldgelb, feines Bouquet nach Zitrusfrüchten und Wiesenblumen mit einer zarten Honignote. Elegant am Gaumen und von bemerkenswerter Tiefe, Komplexität und Länge. SUPERIORE.DE

Tiefgründiger Barolo: Rubinrot, intensives Bouquet von reifen Beeren und Früchten, dazu etwas Teer, am Gaumen sehr druckvoll und sehr komplex nach Kirschen und Gewürzen. Von eleganter Struktur mit perfekt ausgeglichenem Tanningerüst präsentiert er sich als ein überaus beeindruckender Wein. Ein echter Gaja eben! SUPERIORE.DE

Tiefes Rubinrot. Aromatische Nase nach Rosenblättern, Moschus, Johannisbeere und Eichenrauch. Am Gaumen üppig und dennoch sehr klassisch nach Lakritze, kleinen roten Beeren, etwas Kaffeebohne, dann packendes, präzises Tannin mit einer feinen mineralischen Ader, lang. Großes Reifepotenzial und ein wunderbarer Nebbiolo aus großem Jahrgang! SUPERIORE.DE

Alteni di Brassica - sein Name alteni, Steinmauern, die die Rebgärten begrenzen und brassica, eine gelbe Frühlingsblume der Region deutet keineswegs auf ein Mauerblümchendasein hin. Vielmehr sind sie Synonym für den ersten Sauvignon Blanc der Region, den Angelo Gaja seit 1983 anbaut. Ein höchst eleganter Wein, der mit aromatischem Bouquet, feiner Frucht, viel Tiefe und schöner Länge überzeugt. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Langhe Alteni di Brassica (a pure expression of Sauvignon Blanc) offers tonic freshness, zesty citrus, white peach and crushed oyster shell. The harvest came early in this hot growing season with the grapes coming off the vines as early as August 17th. That early picking date served to keep the aromas fresh and the fruit crunchy. Gaia Gaja tells me that the fruit was super concentrated in this vintage, and the clusters were so small she called them "bonsai grapes." In addition to the concentrated aromas, the wine also shows a level of freshness that comes as a very pleasant surprise. Evidently, the acidity was also concentrated into those tiny berries." Robert Parker

"Gaja's 2017 Alteni di Brassica (Sauvignon) is bright, crisp and also wonderfully nuanced, with lovely textural depth that gives the wine its classy personality. Green orchard fruit, mint, sage and white flowers all grace an expressive Sauvignon that is varietally expressive, without veering either into the realm of the vegetal or the excessively rich. In other words, it is a wine with terrific balance and plenty of class." Vinous

Alteni di Brassica - sein Name "alteni", Steinmauern, die die Rebgärten begrenzen und "brassica", eine gelbe Frühlingsblume der Region, deutet keineswegs auf ein Mauerblümchendasein hin. Vielmehr sind sie Synonym für den ersten Sauvignon Blanc der Region, den Angelo Gaja seit 1983 anbaut. Ein höchst eleganter Wein, der mit aromatischem Bouquet, feiner Frucht, viel Tiefe und schöner Länge überzeugt. SUPERIORE.DE

Barbaresco von Gaja mit blumigen Aromen, Noten von hellen roten Früchten, Menthol und Lakritze. Sehr klar und vollmundig im Geschmack, tolle Frucht. Ganz klassisch gebaut mit bemerkenswerter Eleganz. Die Tannine sind noch quirlig und erfordern wie jedes Jahr ein wenig Geduld. SUPERIORE.DE

"Leuchtendes Rubin-Granat. Dichte und sehr präsente Nase, satte Noten nach reifem Pfirsich, etwas Rhabarber, dann Himbeere. Viel süße, reife Frucht, nach dunklen Kirschen und Himbeeren, öffnet sich mit präsentem, dichtem Tannin, baut sich lange auf, im Finale fester Druck." Falstaff

"Verführerischer Duft von Steinobst, Kräutern und Blüten. Perfekt ausbalanciert am Gaumen, die Säure präsentiert sich akzentuiert, die Gerbstoffe sind robust, im Abgang mineralisch-salzige Aromen in Kombination mit viel Frucht und Finesse." Vinum

"The 2015 Barbaresco was to be bottled a week after I tasted this sample for review. Gaia Gaja was waiting for the right moon before commencing bottling. This vintage is not unlike the 2005 growing season that saw a good amount of rain in spring and scorching heat in the summer. The risk of downy mildew made vintners extra vigilant. Although the 2015 vintage was not ideal for color fixing Nebbiolo (indeed, this wine is slightly less intense in terms of its color saturation), it did prove an important year for power, structure and dry extract. This is a full and generous expression with a fine, loose texture and rich fruit flavors." Robert Parker

"Meticulous vineyard work on the 14 parcels that are the source of this blend has given outstanding results. The aromatic nose is packed with generous ripe red fruits, and it's beautifully polished and stylish. The palate is rich, full-bodied and rounded. There's concentration and power, and it's very spicy and assertive, with impressive punch and drive. Truly imposing." Decanter

"Gaja's 2015 Barbaresco is gorgeous. Deep, pliant and resonant, the 2015 exudes class from the very first taste. Today, the aromatics are not especially open or expressive, but it is the wine's depth and overall sense of harmony that really carry the day. Hints of orange peel, spice and rosewater give the 2015 an exotic aromatic top register that is hugely appealing. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this gem. The 2015 is a wonderfully complete and harmonious wine, but it really does need a few years in the cellar to fully unwind." VINOUS

"A rich and layered Barbaresco with cedar and plums, as well as light leather and rose aromas that follow to a full yet balanced palate and a chewy finish. Very polished. Drink in 2020, but already beautiful." James Suckling

"A combination of savory and fruit elements, this red reveals cherry, berry, eucalyptus, menthol, tar and mineral flavors. Firms up, with monolithic tannins locking this tight. Patience is required." Wine Spectator

Komplexer und vielschichtiger Klassiker vom Altmeister des Nebbiolo aus dem Piemont. In der Nase Zedernholz, Pflaume, rote Früchte, Unterholz und etwas Rosenduft. Ausgewogener, würziger Geschmack, die Tannine fest und das Finish präzise und lang. Dieses muskulöse Monument von einem Rotwein braucht unbedingt noch einige Jahre Flaschenreife, mit etwas Geduld wird er sich in pure Eleganz verwandeln! SUPERIORE.DE

"Leuchtendes, aufhellendes Rubingranat. Eröffnet mit betont würzigen Noten nach Gewürznelken, etwas Rosen und viel saftiger Kirsche. Rund und geschmeidig im Ansatz, öffnet sich dann mit präsentem, knackigem Tannin, ist sehr gut eingebunden, im Finale fester Druck und herzhaft." Falstaff

"Fragrant and refined, this opens with heady scents of wild berry, rose petal, camphor and underbrush. Elegantly structured, the polished palate offers ripe Marasca cherry, blood orange and star anise framed in taut, fine-grained tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"The Gaja 2017 Barbaresco is nuanced and delicate with ever-expanding aromatic intensity that amply fills the balloon of your glass. The wine takes a little while to open fully, and it slowly releases forest berry, powdered licorice, toasted aniseed, spearmint, dried lavender and rosemary essence to build a lasting bouquet. The mouthfeel is streamlined and almost steely, with an extremely linear approach that adds to its length and persistency. The tannins are tucked into the wine's delicate fiber, but you do feel the extra textural firmness of the hot vintage nonetheless. As we have seen in past vintages, more definition is added by a pretty mineral note that is a common thread in these wines from Gaja." Robert Parker

"Glorious aromas of flowers, crushed berries, strawberries and dried herbs. Some tea. Full-bodied and layered with a wonderfully curated, polished tannin structure and backbone. Give it three or four years to soften. Try after 2023." James Suckling

Darmagi Cabernet Sauvignon ist ein herrlich dunkler Wein mit viel Sortencharakter und Persönlichkeit. Schwarze Früchte, Espresso, gegrillte Kräuter und Cassis im reichen und dichten Bouquet. Eleganz und Harmonie am Gaumen, Aromen von Leder und eine gewisse Erdigkeit erhöhen die Komplexität. Höchst imposant fügt sich das Tannin schon heute in die Komposition ein und verspricht Großes für die Zukunft. SUPERIORE.DE

"A solid red as always with lots of currant, chocolate and walnut. Full and chewy, savory and dark chocolate. Very pretty tannins." James Suckling

Conteisa - schon immer ein Spitzenwein - wird nun auch mit königlicher Bezeichnung Barolo DOCG gekrönt. Sein reichhaltiges Bouquet verströmt den süßen Duft roter Kirschen und eine elegante Mischung aus Blumen, Minze, Gewürzen und Lakritze. Samtweich und einladend der Geschmack, mit perfekter Balance aus kräftiger Frucht, integrierten Tanninen und schön ausgewogener Säure. Ausstrahlung und Komplexität sind überwältigend. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2013 Barolo Conteisa is now officially a DOCG wine following years as a Langhe Nebbiolo or IGT wine. The first vintage was 1996 and fruit is sourced from the Cerequio cru in La Morra. This is a classic and coherent expression that is characterized by crunchy fruit flavors and sweet tannins. Fruit came into the winery at very low temperatures and saw slow fermentations. Generally speaking, the 2013 vintage is characterized by slow ripening and a long growing season. This is a balanced and homogenous wine with a softly caressing nature. It offers aromas of citrus, summer fruit and even a touch of watermelon pulp. This wine is usually considered the more immediate of Gaja's two new Barolo wines, yet this vintage surely needs extra time to evolve." Robert Parker

"The 2013 Conteisa is unusually dark and virile in this vintage. Black cherry, smoke, licorice, leather and melted road tar give the Conteisa much of its dark, brooding personality. That impression is reinforced by the wine's imposing tannic structure and overall feel. Conteisa is typically a wine more of finesse than power, but the 2013 vintage seems to have pulled out a more virile expression of this site. I suspect the 2013 is going to need a good few years in the cellar, perhaps more, to be at its very best." VINOUS

"Lots of beautiful aromas of strawberries, cherries, oranges and white chocolate follow through to a full body with a fantastic, dense and chewy mouth feel and a long finish. So precise." James Suckling

"Just mid ruby with the beginning of orange tinges. Subtle, yet concentrated, red-fruit nose with hints of spice. Elegant, medium-bodied palate weight and fine cherry fruit laced with oak. Not ready yet. Elegant yet powerful." Jancis Robinson

Schwarze Früchte, Espresso, gegrillte Kräuter und Cassis im reichen und dichten Bouquet. Eleganz und Harmonie am Gaumen, Aromen von Leder und eine gewisse Erdigkeit erhöhen die Komplexität. Höchst imposant fügt sich das Tannin schon heute in die Komposition ein und verspricht Großes für die Zukunft. SUPERIORE.DE

"Darmagi loves a warm vintage. The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Darmagi embraces the summer warmth like a happy sponge. This wine is faithfully true to the variety, with intensely dark fruit followed by dried cassis, exotic spice and green laurel leaf. There is a point of succulent sweetness in the mouth that is uniquely specific to this hot vintage. The wine is seamless and smooth in texture with solid structure on the close. The vines suffered from stripe disease (GLSD). This reduced the capacity of the plant's foliar system. Gaia Gaja tells me they were able to harvest from the healthy parts of the vines to make this beautiful wine." Robert Parker

Angelos Großvater sprach damals, als Angelo eine Rebfläche mit Cabernet Sauvignon bestockte, von einer Schande. Dieses Wort (ital. Darmagi) gab dem reinsortigen Cabernet letztendlich seinen Namen. Alles andere als eine Schande ist das Ergebnis: schwarze Früchte, Espresso, gegrillte Kräuter und Cassis im reichen und dichten Bouquet. Eleganz und Harmonie am Gaumen, Aromen von Leder und eine gewisse Erdigkeit erhöhen die Komplexität. Höchst imposant fügt sich das Tannin schon heute in die Komposition ein und verspricht Großes für die Zukunft. SUPERIORE.DE

"You'll find more dark fruit and more freshness here than in many of the other offerings from Gaja, with a dark, deep inky appearance. The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Darmagi is a 100% expression of the grape, whereas past editions saw tiny parts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The fruit comes from a 2.5-hectare vineyard planted in 1978 directly under the town of Barbaresco, setting the stage for an elegant rendition of Cabernet Sauvignon with a fresh and contained style. The wine shows a nice balance between the extraction you get from the grape skins and the rich succulence you get from the pulp inside the berries. In the 2017, you taste more of the skins, and in the 2018, Gaia Gaja comments, you taste more of the pulp. The 2016 offers both, countering each other with precision. Whole grapes are pressed very gently." Robert Parker

Sein reichhaltiges Bouquet verströmt den süßen Duft roter Kirschen und eine elegante Mischung aus Blumen, Minze, Gewürzen und Lakritze. Samtweich und einladend der Geschmack, mit perfekter Balance aus kräftiger Frucht, integrierten Tanninen und schön ausgewogener Säure. Ausstrahlung und Komplexität sind überwältigend. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intensives, sattes Rubinrot mit zart aufhellendem Rand. Kompakte und rotbeerige Nase, nach Himbeere und Hagebutte, dann nach Granatapfel, Blutorange im Nachhall. Sehr geschmeidiger Gaumeneintritt, äußerst elegant, toller Schmelz, ständiger Druck gepaart mit frischer roter Frucht, knackiges Tannin, im Finale druckvoll und nachhallend." Falstaff

"Just mid ruby. Firm yet perfumed and deep with hints of liquorice. Fantastic grip of polished tannins on a succulent raspberry and sour-cherry finish. Poised yet powerful." Jancis Robinson

"The 2015 Barolo Conteisa is intense, with a background chorus of plum, prune, herb, mint and wild cherry. It's a very balanced Barolo. The Cerequio vineyard that provides this fruit often suffers from hail damage because the vineyard is located along the corridor of bad weather that comes over the hill from La Morra. There was some damage in mid-August, but fruit in the 2016 vintage suffered much more extensively in comparison. In fact, so little fruit was saved that Gaia Gaja is pretty sure this wine will not be produced next vintage." Robert Parker

"The 2015 Barolo Conteisa is a heady, exotic wine, and also one of the most complete, alluring Conteisas I have ever tasted. Conteisa is usually a wine of grace and understatement. The 2015, on the other hand, is a bold, sweeping Barolo that saturates the palate with stunning depth and volume. Even with all of its intensity, the 2015 remains vibrant. This is such a complete, harmonious wine." Vinous

"Extremely pure fruit on the nose here with aromas of plums and strawberries and hints of cedar and rose petals, as well as rose stems. Full body. Very tannic and structured, yet polished and refined. Dusty and stony undertones and textures. Drink after 2021." James Suckling

Angelos Großvater sprach damals, als Angelo eine Rebfläche mit Cabernet Sauvignon bestockte, von einer Schande. Dieses Wort (ital. Darmagi) gab dem reinsortigen Cabernet letztendlich seinen Namen. Alles andere als eine Schande ist das Ergebnis: schwarze Früchte, Espresso, gegrillte Kräuter und Cassis im reichen und dichten Bouquet. Eleganz und Harmonie am Gaumen, Aromen von Leder und eine gewisse Erdigkeit erhöhen die Komplexität. Höchst imposant fügt sich das Tannin schon heute in die Komposition ein und verspricht Großes für die Zukunft. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Darmagi (Cabernet Sauvignon) is gorgeous. Ample, silky and voluptuous to its core, Darmagi offers tons of immediacy and sheer appeal. Today, the 2017 is all about fruit richness and texture. Readers who prefer to see a full range of Cabernet aromatics should plan on cellaring the 2017 for at least a few years. Hints of blackberry jam, mocha, licorice and spice linger, but more than anything else, the 2017 is all about flamboyance. This is an especially strong vintage." Vinous

Barbaresco von Gaja mit blumigen Aromen, Noten von hellen roten Früchten, Menthol und Lakritze. Sehr klar und vollmundig im Geschmack, tolle Frucht. Ganz klassisch gebaut mit bemerkenswerter Eleganz. Die Tannine sind noch quirlig und erfordern etwas Geduld. SUPERIORE.DE

"So perfumed with black cherry, strawberry and flowers. Tar undertones. Brick, too. Some minerals. Stone fruit. Full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Barbaresco with clarity and finesse." James Suckling

"The 2012 Barbaresco is lifted, precise and gracious in style. Sweet red cherry, cranberry, wild flowers and mint are all laced together in a delicate, understated Barbaresco that will drink well early. The 2012 is supremely classy and polished, but it is also unusually accessible for a young Gaja wine. In 2012, Gaja did not bottle their three single-vineyard wines from Barbaresco. Instead, all of the fruit went into the estate's Barbaresco bottling." VINOUS

"New oak adds vanilla and toast to the expressive cherry and berry fruit in this dense red, presenting a layer of tannins that will require time to integrate. Much better with air, staying fresh, focused and long." Wine Spectator

Barbaresco Costa Russi mit fruchtig-würzigem Bouquet und einer gut eingebundenen Holznote. Am Gaumen sehr kraftvoll, hervorragend strukturiert und mit einem ätherischen Ausdruck von dunkler Frucht, Rauch, Lakritze, Teer und Menthol. Und dann das Finale, das buchstäblich eine Ewigkeit dauert. SUPERIORE.DE

"Transparent leuchtendes Rubingranat. Frisch und saftig im Duft, mit rotbeerigem Ausdruck, ganz elegant und nobel, mit fein durchdeklinierten Kirscharomen von frisch bis konfiert. Vielschichtig, mit etwas Schokolade und sehr feiner Würze. Weit aufgespannt im Mund, offen, komplex und einladend, kaum Holz spürbar. Satt am Gaumen anliegend, mit grosser Spannung, von der rassig-festen Säure findet er eloquent zu einem hochdifferenzierten, schokoladigen Finale. Trotz hoher Konzentration zeigt der Costa Russi maximale Transparenz mit feinen, engmaschig angeordneten Gerbstoffen, lang und ausgewogen, mit ausgezeichneter Frische im Rückaroma. Ein Clos de la Roche aus Nebbiolo." Weinwisser

"The 2013 Barbaresco Costa Russi is a real head-turner. Crystalline and utterly vivid in its expression of Nebbiolo, the 2013 is all class. Stylistically, the Costa Russi is closest to the straight Barbaresco, but it has a little more mid-palate sweetness and density. Bright floral and minty notes add lift on the chiseled, expressive finish. The Costa Russi is the star of the show this year, considering it is the least pedigreed of Gaja's three single-vineyard sites. The 2013 has been stunningly beautiful on the three occasions I have tasted it so far." VINOUS

"Medium ruby color. The class, strength and finesse to this wine are ever present with berry, dark-chocolate and walnut character. Full-bodied, dense and chewy. Very fresh. Chocolate, mango and ripe-strawberry flavors herald a bright finish." James Suckling

"A glorious Nebbiolo nose of cascading damask roses straight from the garden after a heavy rain. On the palate, red plums and mulberry juice are perfumed with freshly turned earth. Of the three crus, this is the most generous, with a looser structure and silky texture. 2013 is a cool vintage and the freshness of the finish is a testament to this. Forthcoming and delicious." Decanter

"The 2013 Barbaresco Costa Russi is a celebration of vineyard site. In the past, this wine was blended with 5% Barbera, but this is no longer the case starting now. For the first time in recent memory, we are tasting a pure expression of Nebbiolo as harvested from the rows of vines in the Costa Russi cru, located directly below Sorì Tildìn at the base of the Barbaresco village. The vines are over 65-years-old and are planted in limestone clay and marl soils. Costa Russi is known for delicate, light-bodied wines that exhibit floral aromas of rose hip and lavender, as well as darker fruit tones at the back. Those qualities are beautifully evident in this vintage. The mouthfeel is characterized by a firm sense of tannic structure that is common to all of Gaja's new releases in the 2013 vintage." Robert Parker

Barbaresco von Gaja mit blumigen Aromen, Noten von hellen roten Früchten, Menthol und Lakritze. Sehr klar und vollmundig im Geschmack, tolle Frucht. Ganz klassisch gebaut mit bemerkenswerter Eleganz. Die Tannine sind noch quirlig und erfordern wie jedes Jahr ein wenig Geduld. SUPERIORE.DE

"Leuchtendes Rubin-Granat. Dichte und sehr präsente Nase, satte Noten nach reifem Pfirsich, etwas Rhabarber, dann Himbeere. Viel süße, reife Frucht, nach dunklen Kirschen und Himbeeren, öffnet sich mit präsentem, dichtem Tannin, baut sich lange auf, im Finale fester Druck." Falstaff

"Verführerischer Duft von Steinobst, Kräutern und Blüten. Perfekt ausbalanciert am Gaumen, die Säure präsentiert sich akzentuiert, die Gerbstoffe sind robust, im Abgang mineralisch-salzige Aromen in Kombination mit viel Frucht und Finesse." Vinum

"The 2015 Barbaresco was to be bottled a week after I tasted this sample for review. Gaia Gaja was waiting for the right moon before commencing bottling. This vintage is not unlike the 2005 growing season that saw a good amount of rain in spring and scorching heat in the summer. The risk of downy mildew made vintners extra vigilant. Although the 2015 vintage was not ideal for color fixing Nebbiolo (indeed, this wine is slightly less intense in terms of its color saturation), it did prove an important year for power, structure and dry extract. This is a full and generous expression with a fine, loose texture and rich fruit flavors." Robert Parker

"Gaja's 2015 Barbaresco is gorgeous. Deep, pliant and resonant, the 2015 exudes class from the very first taste. Today, the aromatics are not especially open or expressive, but it is the wine's depth and overall sense of harmony that really carry the day. Hints of orange peel, spice and rosewater give the 2015 an exotic aromatic top register that is hugely appealing. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this gem. The 2015 is a wonderfully complete and harmonious wine, but it really does need a few years in the cellar to fully unwind." VINOUS

"Meticulous vineyard work on the 14 parcels that are the source of this blend has given outstanding results. The aromatic nose is packed with generous ripe red fruits, and it's beautifully polished and stylish. The palate is rich, full-bodied and rounded. There's concentration and power, and it's very spicy and assertive, with impressive punch and drive. Truly imposing." Decanter

"A rich and layered Barbaresco with cedar and plums, as well as light leather and rose aromas that follow to a full yet balanced palate and a chewy finish. Very polished. Drink in 2020, but already beautiful." James Suckling

"A combination of savory and fruit elements, this red reveals cherry, berry, eucalyptus, menthol, tar and mineral flavors. Firms up, with monolithic tannins locking this tight. Patience is required." Wine Spectator

Komplexer und vielschichtiger Klassiker vom Altmeister des Nebbiolo aus dem Piemont. In der Nase Zedernholz, Pflaume, rote Früchte, Unterholz und etwas Rosenduft. Ausgewogener, würziger Geschmack, die Tannine fest und das Finish präzise und lang. Dieses muskulöse Monument von einem Rotwein braucht unbedingt noch einige Jahre Flaschenreife, mit etwas Geduld wird er sich in pure Eleganz verwandeln! SUPERIORE.DE

"Leuchtendes, aufhellendes Rubingranat. Eröffnet mit betont würzigen Noten nach Gewürznelken, etwas Rosen und viel saftiger Kirsche. Rund und geschmeidig im Ansatz, öffnet sich dann mit präsentem, knackigem Tannin, ist sehr gut eingebunden, im Finale fester Druck und herzhaft." Falstaff

"Fragrant and refined, this opens with heady scents of wild berry, rose petal, camphor and underbrush. Elegantly structured, the polished palate offers ripe Marasca cherry, blood orange and star anise framed in taut, fine-grained tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"The Gaja 2017 Barbaresco is nuanced and delicate with ever-expanding aromatic intensity that amply fills the balloon of your glass. The wine takes a little while to open fully, and it slowly releases forest berry, powdered licorice, toasted aniseed, spearmint, dried lavender and rosemary essence to build a lasting bouquet. The mouthfeel is streamlined and almost steely, with an extremely linear approach that adds to its length and persistency. The tannins are tucked into the wine's delicate fiber, but you do feel the extra textural firmness of the hot vintage nonetheless. As we have seen in past vintages, more definition is added by a pretty mineral note that is a common thread in these wines from Gaja." Robert Parker

"Glorious aromas of flowers, crushed berries, strawberries and dried herbs. Some tea. Full-bodied and layered with a wonderfully curated, polished tannin structure and backbone. Give it three or four years to soften. Try after 2023." James Suckling

Funkelndes, mitteldichtes Rubin-Granat. Barbaresco Costa Russi mit fruchtig-würzigem Bouquet und einer gut eingebundenen Holznote. Am Gaumen sehr kraftvoll, hervorragend strukturiert und mit einem ätherischen Ausdruck von dunkler Frucht, Rauch, Lakritze, Teer und Menthol. Und dann das Finale, das buchstäblich eine Ewigkeit dauert. SUPERIORE.DE

"Leuchtendes Rubingranat mit hellem Rand. Sehr klare und einprägsame Nase, eröffnet mit Noten nach Himbeeren und Kirschen, dazu etwas Gewürznelken und Ingwer. Am Gaumen viel süßer Schmelz, gepaart mit dichtem, aber feinmaschigem Tannin, spannt einen sehr weiten Bogen, im Finale viel Druck." Falstaff

"Just mid ruby and a shade deeper than the straight Barbaresco. Very deep and concentrated and complex on the nose. Cherry and raspberry with a savoury edge. The palate is packed with red fruit and bags of fine sandy tannins, but it is all still embryonic. Elegant and poised yet firmly structured. Beautifully balanced. A wine like a sculpture." Jancis Robinson

"Costa Russi is a relatively cool site, and even in this exceptional vintage there's a minty tone on the nose. There are intense raspberry and redcurrant aromas, and a fragrance of roses. The attack is suave but very concentrated, with powerful tannins. This has heft as well as tension, and it's oaky and powerful. It clearly needs time to relinquish its grip but it has underlying intensity of fruit, and terrific length." Decanter

"The 2016 Barbaresco Costa Russi is a very botanical wine in terms of its aromas, with lovely perfumes of rose, elderflower, sambuco and anise seed, along with a touch of glycerine. It then follows up with some sweetness that feels very embracing in this wine. This is the more ephemeral, delicate and floral member of the extended Barbaresco family from Gaja, with a crunchy tannic bite, but nothing too severe. There is a really good vitality and energy to this very expressive wine. Costa Russi remains the smallest of Gaja's single-vineyard wines." Robert Parker

"This delicate red features floral, strawberry, cherry, currant and loamy earth aromas and flavors, showing terrific balance. A line of firm tannins adds support, and the finish is long and expansive." Wine Spectator

"Beautiful dried strawberries, flowers and cedar with hints of tar. Full body, round and rich tannins with lots of cedar, tar and tobacco, as well as a hint of chocolate powder. Lovely, long and caressing finish. Gorgeous again. Better after 2022." James Suckling

"The 2016 Barbaresco Costa Russi is ripe, creamy and enveloping, as it so often is, and yet also preserves the super classic sense of structure that runs through all these wines. In 2016, Costa Russi has an extra touch of mid-palate sweetness that gives the wine its sense of immediacy. Succulent red cherry, rosewater, kirsch, mint and dried flowers meld together in the glass. Soft and sensual, with tons of allure, Costa Russi is another winner from Gaja. Time in the glass brings out the wine's density and tannins, both of which it has in spades." Vinous

Funkelnd sattes Rubin mit Granatreflexen. Im Bouquet kraftvoll, kompakt und maskulin nach Teer, etwas Lakritze und viel reifer Frucht. Am Gaumen wunderbar seidiges, sehr dichtes Tannin, satter vielschichtiger Geschmack und endlos lang. Verspricht enormes Entwicklungspotenzial. SUPERIORE.DE

"Leuchtendes, intensives Rubingranat. Sehr fein gezeichnete Noten, viel reife Frucht, vor allem Zwetschke und Himbeere, dazu etwas Gojibeeren, etwas Gewürznelken, wirkt sehr geschliffen. In Ansatz und Verlauf sehr fein und geschliffen, zeigt feines Tannin in vielen Schichten, salzig, im hinteren Verlauf dann fester Druck, strömt lange dahin." Falstaff

"The great expectations for 2016 are made real in this wine. San Lorenzo is usually extremely youthful in its fruit expression, with an amazing tension of fruit and acidity. The spiciness of oak is still evident here, with a toasty, chocolatey, liquorice character. The tannins are refined with the typical dusty finish of Nebbiolo. This shows great elegance and will develop for decades." Decanter

"Features sweet ripe cherry, plum, eucalyptus, tobacco and spice flavors. The texture is tightly woven and refined, while vibrant acidity drives the long finish. Shows wonderful harmony and the potential for aging." Wine Spectator

"If the Barbaresco Costa Russi expresses itself with purity and grace, the 2016 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo struts out stacked and tall. It has firmer textural support and is not as timid or as withholding as the Costa Russi. The Sorì San Lorenzo site is located closest to the warm air currents that travel down the Tanaro River valley, and this vineyard site is always the first to ripen and be harvested. You get a stronger mineral note here with iron rust, pencil shaving and potting soil intertwined with the primary fruit, showing dazzlingly intricate complexity and depth." Robert Parker

"The 2016 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo is an eternal wine that will need 10-15 years in bottle to truly come around. Sorì San Lorenzo is often a big, virile wine. There is plenty of heft to the 2016, but at the same time, I also find an element of refinement and nuance that Sorì San Lorenzo has rarely, if ever, shown. Black cherry, cloves, menthol, licorice, gravel and incense are some of the many aromas and flavor that meld together in this dramatic and dramatically beautiful Barbaresco from the Gaja family. The Sorì San Lorenzo just explodes on the finish, with an array of aromas, flavors and textures that will leave readers weak at the knees. The 2016 is an outrageously beautiful, vivid wine of real gravitas and power." Vinous

"Glorious aromas of ripe strawberries, cherries and orange peel with flowers and stones and some incense. Full-bodied, dense and powerful with fantastic depth of fruit and ripe tannins. It goes on for minutes. One of the most structured Sori San Lorenzos in a long time." James Suckling

Funkelndes, mitteldichtes Rubin-Granat. Barbaresco Costa Russi mit fruchtig-würzigem Bouquet und einer gut eingebundenen Holznote. Am Gaumen sehr kraftvoll, hervorragend strukturiert und mit einem ätherischen Ausdruck von dunkler Frucht, Rauch, Lakritze, Teer und Menthol. Und dann das Finale, das buchstäblich eine Ewigkeit dauert. SUPERIORE.DE

"Leuchtendes Rubingranat. Duftige und einnehmende Nase, Noten nach Blutorange, frischer Himbeere und Rosenblättern. Saftig und stoffig am Gaumen, breitet sich satt aus, öffnet sich dann mit viel griffigem Tannin, im Finale viel Druck, aber auch noch leicht trocknend." Falstaff

"The 2017 Barbaresco Costa Russi is gorgeous. Dark, layered and wonderfully inviting, the Costa Russi expresses the restrained style of the vintage and yet has terrific depth. Black cherry, plum, mocha, spice, leather and star anise build as this sumptuous, classically mid-weight Barbaresco shows of all of its pedigree. The 2017 is a lighter Costa Russi, there is no doubt about that, but this is also the most complete of the three single vineyard Barbarescos." Vinous

"A pretty red with ripe-cherry, strawberry and floral aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied and very tight with a creamy, polished palate that goes on for minutes. Very fine and polished tannins. Give this two or three years to come more together." James Suckling

Funkelndes Rubin mit feinem Granatschimmer. Sorì Tildin verbindet den Terroirausdruck der Nebbiolotraube mit einem seidigen, reichhaltigen Geschmack voller Sinnlichkeit und Kraft. Öffnet sich mit prächtigen, nuancenreichen Aromen, die zu einem ausdrucksstarken Kern reifer roter Früchte führen. Fokussiert und raffiniert, mit außergewöhnlicher Länge und von femininer Eleganz. SUPERIORE.DE

"Funkelndes, mitteldichtes Rubingranat. Einprägsame Nase mit frischen Noten nach Himbeere und Kirsche, etwas Ingwer im Hintergrund. Am Gaumen überaus geschliffen, zeigt viel dichtmaschiges Tannin mit süßem Kern, beschreibt einen langen Bogen." Falstaff

"Tasted blind. Mid ruby with orange tinges. Brooding richness on the nose and ripe marasca cherry fruit on the palate with just the right dose of supple acidity. Elegant palate weight and intense fruit that is not heavy. Almost aromatic on the finish and with bitter-sweet, fine tannins adding a nice contrast. Quite gorgeous." Jancis Robinson

"Sori Tildin is a lofty south-facing site located above another of Gaja's three single vineyards, Costa Russi. It shows delightful purity of fruit and fragrance on the nose, with lifted and fresh raspberry aromas. Although suave and velvety on the palate, there are robust and assertive tannins beneath the fruit. This has tension and gravitas, more so than Costa Russi in this vintage. Very long." Decanter

"Extremely perfumed with strawberries, flowers, cherries and hints of ash and tar. Medium to full-bodied with tightness and raciness to the tannins. Polished, too. Very, very persistent. Try after 2022." James Suckling

Funkelnd sattes Rubin mit Granatreflexen. Im Bouquet kraftvoll, kompakt und maskulin nach Teer, etwas Lakritze und viel reifer Frucht. Am Gaumen wunderbar seidiges, sehr dichtes Tannin, satter vielschichtiger Geschmack und endlos lang. Verspricht enormes Entwicklungspotenzial. SUPERIORE.DE

"Tasted blind. Mid ruby with orange tinges. Full, ripe yet fine nose with plenty of depth. Succulent and elegant palate with generous, sweet-sour cherry fruit and truly animating, crunchy tannins." Jancis Robinson

"A rich, heady wine, the 2017 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo packs a serious punch. Macerated dark cherry, plum, espresso, licorice, dried herbs and spice all build in a potent, rich Barbaresco endowed with tremendous depth and brooding power." Vinous

"This is generally the most austere of the three Gaja single-vineyard wines, and it has also been described as 'wilder'. In this vintage the nose does seem to have more weight than Sori Tildin, with rich raspberry and cherry aromas. It's sumptuous, full-bodied and concentrated, with considerable density and weight. Despite its youthful chewiness, it's still polished and balanced, with a very long finish." Decanter

"The aromas of fresh rose petals are amazing with strawberries and citrus underneath. Full-bodied and layered with a complete, very linear and long finish. It turns tight and very serious at the end. Please give this at least five years to show it’s potential." James Suckling