2018 Gaja Barbaresco

 

This week we had the opportunity to taste the extraordinary new release from Gaja - the 2018 Barbaresco - with Gaia Gaja at Maccelaio restaurant in London.  The wine was absolutely stunning and this came as no surprise, as Gaja decided to include all of their famed single vineyard juice (from Sori San Lorenzo, Sori Tildin & Costa Russi) into their estate Barbaresco.  Perfumed, complex and with such beautiful finesse and elegance, it was simply a joy to taste. 'The hallmark of the Gaja estate, the Barbaresco is sourced from 14 vineyards within Barbaresco and Treiso. For the 2018 vintage, there will be no single cru bottlings for Barbaresco' Jeb Dunnuck   Gaja Barbaresco has an extraordinary track record and this is a wine that the family have been making since 1859. It is 100% Nebbiolo sourced from the families various vineyards located in the municipality of Barbaresco. The winery was founded in 1859 in Langhe, Piedmont by Giovanni Gaja and it is his great grandson, Angelo Gaja, who currently runs the business.  Angelo has often been referred to as the “King of Barbaresco” and has been responsible for developing techniques that have revolutionised wine-making in Italy.  Although the 2018 is incredibly inviting today, this Barbaresco will develop into something truly spectacular with some more time in the bottle.  When you consider the price of mature vintages of Gaja, the 2018 represents a great buy.  Don't miss this opportunity to secure some for the cellar! 2018 Gaja Barbaresco 375ml @ £850 per 12 750ml @ £845 per 6 Magnums @ £920 per 3 Double Magnums @ £670 each Aromas of ripe strawberries with hazelnuts, blood oranges and some coconut. Full-bodied with very refined and polished tannins that nicely form this young red wine. Fresh and delicious aftertaste of berry, cedar, bark and dark chocolate. Ever so subtle, yet powerful and driven at the finish. Very long and intense. Very classical style to it and cooler. This is a blend of seven vineyards including the Costa Russi and Sori Tilden. Approachable now, but better after 2025 and onwards. 97pt, James Suckling   The hallmark of the Gaja estate, the Barbaresco is sourced from 14 vineyards within Barbaresco and Treiso. For the 2018 vintage, there will be no single cru bottlings for Barbaresco, and all of the fruit has gone into the estate bottling. The 2018 Barbaresco is pure and inviting, with perfumed notes of rose petal, ripe raspberry, and clove. Medium-bodied and approachable, with super fine-grained tannins, it offers fresh strawberry, orange pith, and dusty earth. The undeniable elegance of this 2018 is joyful now, though it will be great to revisit over the next 15 years. 96+pt, Jeb Dunnuck The Gaja 2018 Barbaresco is a wine of grace and purpose, with an elegant bouquet and a more powerful palate presence. These recent releases from the venerated house of Gaja are some of the most transparent and honest expressions to be found anywhere in the Langa. Some of the flashiness we saw in the past is today replaced by subtle Nebbiolo nuances and finesse, with crushed flowers, coriander, wild berry, smoke, tar and candied orange peel. 94+pt, Monica Larner   Ex UK Subject to final confirmation   Please let me know if you are interested. With regards, Alister Alister Rayner - Sales & Marketing Manager

Tel: +44 (0) 1732 749 033| Fax: +44 (0) 1732 469 393 Mobile +44 (0) 747 039 7000 www.grandvinwinemerchants.co.uk | alister@gvwm.co.uk