An assessment of Gaja’s latest releases from Georgie Crawley who has swiftly stepped up to as our resident Piedmontese expert.
Gaja’s Barbarescos need no introduction, they are truly magnificent and with the 2011s you are in for a treat.
As we all know 2010 was a huge success for Barolo; in 2011 it appears that Barbaresco has taken the crown – these are truly phenomenal wines. Angelo Gaja himself has said, “The 2011 will probably be considered a vintage with more body and richness than the 2010”. The weather had its part to play in creating such a vintage, wet at the beginning ensuring that the vines did not stress during the record heatwave in March, followed by some warm to hot months ensuring full and even ripening. A little, but perfectly timed rain at the beginning of September and cool night temperatures gave perfect results; beautiful ripeness, freshness and balance.
Barbaresco always makes me yearn for the Autumn, showing brooding complexity, rich, velvety fruit; Dark cherries, roses, smoke, truffle, grilled meats mixed with anise and herbs. These wines have lots of texture and intensity. A perfect match for the season. The straight Barbaresco looks compelling, and is a must buy for those who love fine, but full bodied wines. The Single vineyards are in a league of their own.
Some critics have released their views, as you will read below they are glowing.
“In fact, their 2011 Barbaresco blend that is their most current release is clearly better quality than the same wine in 2010.” James Suckling
“Many in Barbaresco believe that the 2011s are superior to the famous 2010s… the wines clearly reflect the vintage: fleshy and almost opulent, with highish alcohol levels but sound acidity. In this respect the best of the just-released 2011 Barbarescos magically combine creamy textures and generally refined tannins…” Decanter
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Due to the very small quantities we are able to offer these wines on a “˜first come, first served’, basis. Please do be quick if you wish to secure these legendary wines. The straight Barbaresco is immediately available, single vineyards wines are available from October 2014. All wines are offered subject to remaining unsold.
(6x75cl)Gaja, Barbaresco 2011 @ £495.00 per six ib
The grapes for Gaja’s flagship Barbaresco are sourced from 14 unique vineyard sites across Barbaresco. It is 100% Nebbiolo. The wine spends an average of 12 months in barriques followed by 12 months in large wooden casks. A very elegant wine which ages well, it can be appreciated within a few years of bottling.
“Extremely perfumed with roses, dark berries, ash, asphalt, and sliced plums. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a juicy, savory finish. Orange and lemon peel undertones. Gorgeous finish. Hard not to drink now. A beautiful wine. Drink or hold. But why wait?” 95/100, James Suckling
“Powerful, pure, extremely deep; velvety tannins. Drink 2020- 2050.” 18.25 (94) Decanter
“The 2011 Barbaresco opens to a dark garnet color and shows immediate opulence and intensity where its aromas are concerned. There’s an undeniable level of finesse and focus here that goes against all the things you might assume about a warmer vintage like 2011. The mouthfeel is perfectly tempered and smooth with an incredible sense of liveliness and dimension. Fruit is sourced from Gaja’s many vineyard holdings. Drink: 2017-2035.” 93/100, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
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(6x75cl) Costa Russi 2011 @ £1150.00 per six ib
A 10 acre vineyard acquired in 1950. Generally the most “˜forward’ of the single vineyard wines combining a velvety structure with rich fruit and great elegance that continue to evolve for 30 years or more.
“The 2011 Costa Russi delivers youthfulness and brightness with bold cherry fruit flavors, cassis, spice and mild cola. The wine excels in in the mouth where it shows a great degree of roundness and suppleness. Costa Russi is Nebbiolo with a tiny addition of Barbera. Drink: 2018-2038.” 95/100, Monica Larner The Wine Advocate
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(6x75cl) Sorì Tildin 2011 @ £1225.00 per six ib
An 8 acre vineyard was bought by the Gaja family in 1934 and sits on a hilltop with southern exposure. Named after Angelo’s grandmother it produces a wine of matchless elegance and power; full, rich, structured and with an enormous weight of ripe fine fruits.
“The 2011 Sori Tildin is always a wine of great aromatic potential and the 2011 vintage is no exception. This Barbaresco-inspired red bursts from the glass with enormous verve and personality. Mineral notes of pencil shaving and brimstone come on the heels of red fruit and red currant. Drink: 2018-2035.” 95/100 Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
“What a decadent nose of white truffles, meat and game with dark fruits too. Full body, chewy and round tannins and great depth of fruit. Layered texture. Very long and intense. Better in 2017″ 97/100, James Suckling
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(6x75cl) Sorì San Lorenzo 2011 @ £1300.00 per six ib
Made from old vines on south facing slopes. Usually the most concentrated of the single vineyard Barbarescos with the capacity to age for 30 years or more.
“The exciting 2011 Sori San Lorenzo is a wine of enormous beauty and grace. Gaia Gaja classifies her three single vineyard Langhe Nebbiolo wines as follows: Costa Russi is “flowers;” Sori Tildin is “fruit;” and San Lorenzo is “plant” (with more structure and a more compact feel). San Lorenzo does indeed boast a strong mineral component of pencil shavings and crushed granite, followed by red cherry and soft spice. The wine’s tannins start off harder than the other wines, but soften with time. Drink: 2018-2040.” 96/100, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
“Superb aromas of dark fruit such as plums and berries with hints of white truffles. Fresh roses too. Full body, velvety tannins, yet firm and full of tension. Love the lemon and orange aftertaste. Great finish. Better in 2017.” 98/100, James Suckling
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The straight Barbaresco is immediately available, single vineyards wines are available from October 2014. All wines are offered subject to remaining unsold. For more information call our sales team on 020 7793 7900.