Barbaresco by Gaja

Gaja is famous for putting Barbaresco on the international wine map. Using oak barrels and temperature-controlled fermentation, the first to do so in the area, they brought the appellation into the modern age. Both perceived as a pioneer and guardian of tradition, Gaja has left its mark in the making of wine excellency and produces three single vineyard – Sori San Lorenzo, Costa Russi and Sori Tildin - and a generic Barbaresco coveted by collectors across the globe.

The Gaja’s Story

Gaja goes back to 150 years ago, when Giovanni Gaja opened a tavern next to a river port selling his own wines. Fourth generation, Angelo Gaja, was the first to make single-vineyard wine in Barbaresco highlighting the family’s commitment to quality and their terroir. He was also the first to plant Bordeaux varieties in Barbaresco. Now in its fifth generation, Gaja is amongst the most internationally acclaimed name in Italian wine and elevated Barbaresco wines to fine-wine status.

Vineyards & Winemaking

The Barbaresco is a blend from 22 hectares spread over 14 vineyards lying on clay-limestone marl soils at an altitude of 250 and 330m and, planted with 40 years old vines on average. These are the same vineyards his father made his wines from in the 1950s and 1960s.
After destemming, the grapes are fermented with natural yeasts in steel tanks, and each vineyard is vinified separately. Fermentation starts at slightly higher temperature than usual to extract fruit and tannins, before dropping them for a more gentle extraction. The wines are aged for 12 months in oak barrels before blending and another year in bottle before release.

The 2020 Vintage

Following a late harvest in 2019, 2020 was an earlier ripening vintage; Nebbiolo was harvested through the first 10-12 days of October. Winter was mild, while spring was very wet, followed by a warm summer; overall, crop size was slightly lower than normal. Acidity levels was bright, and there is impressive complexity. On the whole, 2020 is an excellent, perhaps even outstanding vintage for Barolo and Barbaresco; indeed some producers believe 2020 to be a better vintage for Nebbiolo than the powerful year of 2019.

Barbaresco Gaja 2020

Drinking window – 2023 - 2045. Secure your allocation. Stock is expected to land in December 2024.

A pale ruby, and blended from 14 vineyard sites, the 2020 Barbaresco was tasted as a barrel sample. Spicy and pure, it is full of red berries with Asian spice and white pepper. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with elegance and refinement throughout, approachable and fine tannins, no harsh edges, and a long-lasting floral finish. This seem to be a vintage that will drink well early but have plenty of longevity as well. – 95 points Jeb Dunnuck

So many aromas of fresh rose petals as well as hibiscus tea. Medium-bodied with crunchy and flowery character with sliced strawberries and a bright finish. So appealing with lovely structure. Chewy at the end. Drinkable but better in three or four years. - 95 points James Suckling

Depth, structure and complexity are the hallmarks of Nebbiolo, and this wine certainly delivers but also offers a juicy helping of fresh berry fruits. It is blended from 14 different sites throughout the Barbaresco DOCG with an average of 40 years of vine age. Barbaresco is the wine that launched the Gaja legacy in 1859. Aromatics of spiced orange peel, an assertive bouquet of dried purple florals and a touch of dried mint. The palate balances the savoury character of baking chocolate and fennel seed with an abundance of ripe red berry fruits—notes of strawberry and balsamic, raspberries and fresh mint and dried tobacco. There is ample structure, but a stylistic transition in more recent vintages of Barbaresco makes this wine immediately drinkable. – 95 points Decanter