Gaia Estate Red 2021

Gaia Estate Red 2021

 

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Gaia
Estate Red 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : Greece
  • Region : Nemea
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Agiorgitiko

Gaia Estate Red from Gaia Wines is a richly expressive Agiorgitiko, delivering a deep, velvety texture and a sophisticated bouquet of red and black fruits, enhanced by subtle hints of spice and floral notes.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 94+ 2016
W&S Wines & Spirits 90 2016
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Gaia Estate is located in the Nemea region of the Peloponnese Peninsula in Greece. Nemea is renowned for its ideal viticultural conditions, particularly for the Agiorgitiko grape, a fragrant red variety native to this area. The Gaia Estate vineyard spans seven hectares and is situated in Koutsi, at an altitude of 550 meters above sea level. This elevation contributes to a cooler climate, which is beneficial for the slow maturation of the grapes, allowing for the development of complex flavors.

The vineyard's soils consist of a layer of approximately 75 centimeters of clay over a bed of limestone, providing excellent drainage and contributing to the unique minerality of the wines. The 40-year-old vines are trained according to the Spur Cordon method, and the yields are kept low at 45 to 48 hectolitres per hectare to ensure high quality and concentration in the grapes. The grapes are meticulously hand-harvested to preserve their integrity.

Winemaking

The Agiorgitiko grapes for the Gaia Estate Red undergo a meticulous winemaking process to extract the best possible flavors and aromas. The grapes are cold soaked and macerated for approximately 20 days to achieve the desired levels of color, flavor, and aromatic extraction. Fermentation occurs with selected yeasts in traditional oak fermenters at temperatures between 22 to 28°C.

The wine undergoes 100% malolactic conversion, followed by 18 to 20 months of maturation in mostly new French oak casks. This ageing process adds depth and complexity to the wine, imparting subtle oak characteristics without overpowering the fruit. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration to maintain its purity and structure.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep ruby red.
  • Aroma: Concentrated notes of red and black fruits, with hints of vanilla, black pepper, and violet.
  • Palate: Rich and velvety texture with great depth and complexity. The palate reveals layers of sweet fruits, robust yet smooth tannins, and a long, smooth finish.

Did you know?

Gaia Wines is one of the pioneers of the modern Greek wine revolution. Established in 1994 by Greek winemakers Leon Karatsalos and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos, Gaia operates from two wineries in the important wine-growing regions of Nemea and Santorini. Their main aim is to explore the boundaries and present the potential of indigenous Greek grape varieties to wine enthusiasts worldwide​​.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Grilled Lamb: The rich, savory flavors of grilled lamb complement the robust tannins and fruit profile of the wine.
  • Moussaka: The layers of meat, eggplant, and béchamel sauce are enhanced by the wine's complexity and depth.
  • Mature Cheeses: The wine's bold flavors and smooth finish pair well with aged cheeses, creating a harmonious balance.
  • Beef Stew: The hearty, slow-cooked flavors of a beef stew are a perfect match for the wine's rich and layered profile.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94+ Points (2016)
The 2016 Agiorgitiko Gai'a Estate was aged for 18 to 20 months in 90% new French oak. It comes in at 14.5% alcohol. Just gorgeous, this dry and serious Estate Agiorgitiko is terrific on all fronts. Focused, precise and long on the finish, it maintains finesse and freshness despite being ripe and concentrated. The tannins are moderately ripe, so you can dive in now if you must, but the wine needs to evolve more. Give it a couple of years if you can. The one thing it most needs to acquire is expressiveness. At the moment, that is a bit muted by the wood (which it still handles surprisingly well). It seems serious and refined, but it needs to show off its Agiorgitiko character a bit more. With aeration, I saw evidence that will come. The question here is only how high the ceiling is.

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 90 Points (2016)
Yiannis Paraskevopoulos grows this wine in the cool heights of Nemea, where the grapes ripen more slowly than on the flats of the appellation. His 2016 captures that coolness in its herbal notes and gripping tannins, a berryfilled agiorgitiko in search of a well-marbled steak.

Gaia Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2021
Gaia Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2021
Gaia
Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2021
RP
94
WE
90
W&S
91
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