Vingården Gaja blev grundlagt i 1859 og Angelo Gaja der fortsat driver det (sammen med datteren) kom ind i familieforetagendet i 1961. I vinhistoriebøgerne er det ikke vanskeligt at finde at Elio Altare og Angelo Gaja er blandt de mest betydningsfulde innovative revolutionerende personligheder i Piemonte i forbindelse med vinproduktion baseret på nebbiolo. Gaja med oprindelse i Barbaresco råder idag over ca. 100 ha vinmarker i Piemonte (stadig primært Barbaresco) og 80 ha vinmarker i Toscana. Gajas to toscanske vingårde Pieve Santa Restituta (brunello) og Ca Marcanda (Supertoscaner) er også at finde i 2100Happiness sortiment. Angelo Gajas vine er dyre - ca. en håndfuld er blandt Italiens dyreste vine - de er også en vinøs oplevelse udover det sædvanlige til særlige anledninger.
Congratulations to the Gaja family and their 2013 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo. This is a sheer and powerful expression of Nebbiolo that boasts a very firm and precise textural quality. The wine is 100% Nebbiolo, as blended Barbera is no longer part of the Sorì San Lorenzo DNA. The tannins are sharply delineated with a crunchy snap that you feel on the palate. This should definitely serve to keep the wine firmly rooted and committed to a slow aging trajectory. That structural firmness is the defining characteristic of this wine, and that unique identity is even more evident now that this wine is officially classified as Barbaresco.Drink Date 2020 - 2045
This exciting set of wines from the Gaja family represents a true stylistic departure and a not-so-subtle break with the past. I enjoyed a very interesting tasting with Gaia Gaja at her family's Barbaresco property in May. As I tasted through the wines recorded below, I made a note to myself regarding what I perceived as a sharper tannic delineation in the wines and a more focused quality to the fruit. These wines are noticeably less fleshy, chewy or succulent compared to past vintages. They are tonic, crisp, angular and fiercely determined in a uniquely distinct manner. Angelo Gaja joined us at the conclusion of my tasting to exchange greetings. I asked if there was any new news to relay to my readers. The father and daughter team exchanged furtive glances and announced sheepishly: "Yes, there is something..." Have I piqued your interest? Look no further than the appellation field: The Langhe Nebbiolo DOC designation on the Costa Russi, Sorì Tildìn and Sorì San Lorenzo wines has been replaced by Barbaresco DOCG. These celebrated wines (that in the past saw the addition of 5% Barbera) are now 100% expression of Nebbiolo. "This change is something we've been discussing as a family for a long time," says a smiling Gaia Gaja. This is indeed a new chapter for Gaja.
