A Special Italian Tasting: A Piedmont World of Gaja Wines
Located in Piedmont in northwestern Italy, the Gaja winery is widely considered to be one of the greatest estates in the world, producing coveted and collectible labels. Five generations of impeccable winemaking have made Gaja a pioneer and guardian of tradition, setting the standard for excellence in the world of winemaking today.
Angelo Gaja was the first to produce single vineyard wines in Piedmont and revolutionized wine making practices in the region, introducing Bordeaux varietals and the use of barriques. Today, the Gaja Winery owns 240 acres of vineyards in the Barbaresco DOCG (Barbaresco and Treiso) and the Barolo DOCG (Serralunga d’Alba and La Morra).
Responsible for some of the most elegant and age-worthy wines in the world, Nebbiolo, named for the ubiquitous autumnal fog (called nebbia in Italian), is the star variety of northern Italy’s Piedmont region and reaches its highest potential in the Piedmontese villages of Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero. All three must produce wines of 100% Nebbiolo.
Gaja Rossj-Bass Langhe 2022
This Gaja white wine, a blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Sauvignon Blanc, shows vibrant character and aromatic complexity. Its pale straw color catches the eye, while the nose is greeted by notes of wisteria, acacia, and a subtle hint of sulfur reminiscent of a matchstick. Delicate pear and mint flavors appear on the palate, accompanied by the essence of musk and cedar. Juniper berries and lemon sage add further layers, leading to a spicy finish that lingers on the senses. This wine evokes the essence of the forest and Mediterranean scrub, with a soft mouthfeel that gracefully complements its rounded, savory finish. Balanced acidity imparts freshness and vitality without overpowering, ensuring a full-bodied experience with a persistent aftertaste that leaves a lasting impression.
(The name Rossj is the nickname of Angelo Gaja’s second daughter, Rossanna.)
2005 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sperss
The 2005 Sperss is simply gorgeous in its layers of super-ripe black fruit, smoke, licorice, French oak, new leather and spices. This symphony of sensations continues on the palate with firm yet ripe tannins coiling around a striking core of fruit concentration. A noticeable delivery of mineral undertones and sweet spice makes a lasting impression on the finish, reflecting the formidable charm of Langhe Nebbiolo from an unforgettable vintage. Gaja’s vineyards in Serralunga are some of the best-exposed plots in the zone, and that clearly was a help here.
2014 Gaja Barolo Sperss
The 2014 Sperss comes from two crus in Serralunga, and like Gaja's Barbarescos, and is aged in a combination of barriques and large barrels. As so often is the case, it is a wine that combines power and finesse. The 2014 Barolo Sperss opens to gorgeous aromas of dark fruit, ranging from elderberries and black cherries to brambleberries, wet earth, white truffle, and Chinese spices. On the structured elegant palate, taut refined tannins and fresh acidity provide an age-worthy framework for raspberry compote, juicy Marasca cherry, orange zest, white pepper and star anise. It shows layers of depth and loads of finesse, with a very long finish.
(Vintages of this wine between 1996 and 2013 are labelled Langhe Nebbiolo DOC.)
2010 Gaja Barbaresco
This Barbaresco remains faithful to its DOCG. Showing off notes of dried cherry, rose petals, truffle and earthy undertones, punctuated by balsamic notes. It is robust but not aggressive, full-bodied yet maintains a graceful elegance. The wine delivers seductively rich concentration and integrated oak that is offset by a delicate portfolio of chiseled mineral, dried berry fruit, Spanish cedar, crushed herb, anise and blue flower. Sweet floral notes reappear on the finish, adding lift and brilliance. All the elements fall into place in this supple, beautifully balanced Barbaresco that represents the essence of the vintage.
2015 Gaja Barbaresco
A rich and layered Barbaresco, this expressive wine opens with pure floral notes of rose petals and elderflowers. Warm spices like black pepper and tobacco give roundness to the bouquet. Structured and extremely elegant, its focused palate shows juicy red and black fruit--cherry, strawberry, plum and blueberry--with baking spice and star anise set against taut polished tannins that provide seamless support. It is well balanced with fresh acidity ending with a chewy finish.
(Gaia Gaja, Angelo Gaja’s eldest daughter, was waiting for the right moon before commencing bottling.)
