Gaja Barbaresco 2019

Gaja Barbaresco 2019

 

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Gaja
Barbaresco 2019
  • Vintage : 2019
  • Country : Italy
  • Region : Piedmont (Barbaresco DOCG)
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Rich and Spicy
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Nebbiolo

Gaja Barbaresco is a pure and refined expression of Nebbiolo, capturing the elegance and complexity of Piedmont’s legendary terroir. A wine of poise and depth, it represents a true icon of Italian winemaking.

Experts Score Vintage
WS Wine Spectator 95 2019
RP Robert Parker 95 2019
JS James Suckling 94 2019
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 93 2019
WE Wine Enthusiast 98 2018
JD Jeb Dunnuck 96 2018
DCT Decanter 95 2018
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Gaja Barbaresco 2019 is produced in the Barbaresco D.O.P., a historic appellation in Piedmont. The wine is sourced from 14 vineyards within the municipality of Barbaresco, situated at altitudes between 250 and 330 meters. Covering a total of 21.4 hectares, these vines are planted in soils rich in clay and limestone, contributing to the wine’s structure and vibrant minerality.

The vineyards are composed of Nebbiolo vines with an average age of 40 years, reflecting a deep connection to the terroir. Barbaresco’s climate, marked by hot summers and abundant rainfall in critical months, ensures a balanced phenolic ripeness essential for producing Nebbiolo of exceptional quality.

Winemaking

Gaja Barbaresco 2019 is crafted from 100% Nebbiolo. Each vineyard’s grapes undergo separate fermentation and maceration, preserving their distinct characteristics. The wine is aged in oak for 12 months, followed by blending and an additional 12 months of aging in oak barrels.

The 2019 vintage presented unique challenges and opportunities: a dry winter followed by abundant spring rains and a warm summer. This weather pattern allowed for optimal phenolic development, with the Nebbiolo harvest occurring from early to late October, ensuring perfectly ripened fruit.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Brilliant ruby with vivid highlights.
  • Aroma: A bouquet of rose petals and wild strawberries is enriched by nuances of marzipan, wild fennel, and juniper.
  • Palate: Crisp red fruit flavors are complemented by bright acidity and a saline touch. The wine’s tense structure and fresh character define the 2019 vintage, offering length, balance, and refinement.

Did you know?

Barbaresco, along with Barolo, represents one of Italy’s most revered wine styles. Gaja has been instrumental in elevating the reputation of Barbaresco on the global stage, with each generation contributing to its legacy. This wine is a quintessential example of the Nebbiolo grape’s ability to express both elegance and power.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Tajarin pasta with white truffle: The wine’s earthy nuances and bright acidity enhance the truffle’s aromatic complexity.
  • Braised veal shank (osso buco): The Nebbiolo’s structure complements the tender richness of the dish.
  • Grilled porcini mushrooms: The wine’s red fruit and herbal notes balance the umami depth of the mushrooms.
  • Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano: The saltiness and nutty flavors of the cheese pair beautifully with the wine’s vibrant acidity and refined tannins.

The story of this estate’s ascendancy is captivating, full of passion and innovation. The Gaja name was established in the region in the 1850s when Angelo’s great, great grandfather Giovanni Gaja moved to Piedmont and then set up a tavern in the lovely village of Barbaresco.

Since then 5 generations of the Gaja family have been involved in the winemaking process. Angelo Gaja joined the business in 1961, taking over the reins from his father Giovanni. It was at this point that the greatest changes were made and they have been fundamental.

Amongst the key changes and innovations introduced were the exclusive focus on estate grown fruit; the reduction of yields; scientifically analyzing the vineyards; separately bottling the vineyard sites to create single vineyard wines; ageing in small barrels made by a local cooperage from wood kept and seasoned at the estate as well as the traditional bottle; planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes alongside the traditional indigenous varieties much to everyone’s horror, not least that of his father.

Today Angelo Gaja and his family create spectacular Barbaresco and Barolo wines from the Nebbiolo grape at their estate in Piedmont alongside their iconic single vineyard wines under the Langhe DOC. They also produce extraordinary white wines with a great capacity to age. They are responsible for some of Italy’s most celebrated bottles which all exhibit the characteristic hallmark of power with sophisticated elegance that marks Gaja apart.

As one would expect for wines of this quality harvesting is done by hand with acute care taken to ensure that the fruit reaches the winery in perfect condition. Ruthless decision making, such as the decision in 2002 (a dilute and difficult year in Piedmont) to declassify the total crop and sell it in bulk, illustrates this well. All wines are fermented in stainless steel, with the reds seeing varying degrees of skin contact depending on the wine and the year. Ageing starts in small French oak barrels, a tactic developed by Angelo when he took responsibility for the winemaking in 1969, and moves to large oak casks for all but the whites and Sito Moresco. Angelo regards the traditional requirements that must be observed for inclusion of a wine in the legal DOC or DOCG quality standards as an impediment to his policy of seeking perfection. Thus the majority of Gaja wines are named according to the vineyard rather than the DOC or DOCG. That Costa Russi is basically Barbaresco and Sperss is basically Barolo is something that must simply be remembered.

Anyone who has had the pleasure to meet Angelo and his daughter Gaia will not be surprised by their success. They have an indomitable will, powerful personality and a total belief in their own direction. Great wines are often a reflection of the people that create them and this is definitely the case with Gaja. Multi layered, fascinating wines with great charm, elegance and longevity. It is no wonder that they are held in such great esteem.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 95 Points (2019)
A complex red, this reveals multidimensional aromas and flavors of rose, cherry, licorice, mineral and spices. This is fused to a vibrant structure that, for now, gives a taut, almost racy profile. Marrying power and grace, this ends in a long, floral- and spice-tinged aftertaste. Best from 2026 through 2045.

Robert Parker (RP) : 95 Points (2019)
Gaja did not make its cru wines from Barbaresco (like Sorì San Lorenzo) in 2019 because the vineyards suffered repercussions one year after severe hail storms struck in 2018. Because of the irregularity found across the various sites, the best fruit was carefully selected and put into this wine instead. The 2019 Barbaresco is striking and beautiful as a result, with enormous depth and clarity. This is a generous wine with ample structure, lots of vibrant acidity, sweet tannins and a bright core of primary fruit. Rating: 95+

James Suckling (JS) : 94 Points (2019)
This has aromas of iron, mineral, bitter chocolate, wild strawberries, raw walnuts, orange peel and decayed roses. Medium- to full-bodied, with sleek and very chalky tannins. Lots of fruit on the palate with a fine, fresh and mineral end. Pure and linear.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 93 Points (2019)
Gaja's 2019 Barbaresco is gorgeous. Bright and nervy, with fabulous balance, the 2019 captures all the best this tricky vintage had to offer. Gaja did not bottle any other Barbaresco crus, opting to use the best lots for this bottling. That decision paid off in a 2019 that sizzles with tension. The aromatics alone are captivating. Bright acids lend vibrancy to a core of beautifully delineated Nebbiolo fruit. I can't wait to see how this ages.Rating: 93+

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 98 Points (2018)
Fragrant and loaded with extraordinary finesse, this radiant red offers intense aromas of rose, violet, perfumed berry and camphor. The savory palate boasts flavor, energy and almost ethereal elegance, featuring red cherry, raspberry compote and baking spice alongside taut, polished tannins. It closes on a note of star anise while vibrant acidity keeps it impeccably balanced. It’s already enjoyable but will also offer years of fine wining. Drink through 2033.

Jeb Dunnuck (JD) : 96 Points (2018)
The hallmark of the Gaja estate, the Barbaresco is sourced from 14 vineyards within Barbaresco and Treiso. For the 2018 vintage, there will be no single cru bottlings for Barbaresco, and all of the fruit has gone into the estate bottling. The 2018 Barbaresco is pure and inviting, with perfumed notes of rose petal, ripe raspberry, and clove. Medium-bodied and approachable, with super fine-grained tannins, it offers fresh strawberry, orange pith, and dusty earth. The undeniable elegance of this 2018 is joyful now, though it will be great to revisit over the next 15 years. Drink 2022-2036. Rating : 96+

Decanter (DCT) : 95 Points (2018)
In 2018 Gaja did not produce any Sorì. All the grapes of San Lorenzo and Tildin have been used for this Barbaresco instead. 'It was a classic vintage, similar to 1991 or 1993,' said Rossana Gaja, 'however with 14% of alcohol.' It was cool and damp, so don't look for concentration, but the refinement and the freshness of this wine packs a punch. Scents of red berries, fresh violets, orange peel, wet slate and soft chocolate are followed by red fruit flavours. It's medium-bodied, loaded with polished tannins and lit up by racy acidity. More stylish than ageworthy, in my experience classic vintages such as this can give stunning results in the near term. (AF) (3/2021)

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