Gaja Ca'Marcanda Camarcanda Bolgheri 2020

Gaja Ca'Marcanda Camarcanda Bolgheri 2020

 

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Gaja
Ca'Marcanda Camarcanda Bolgheri 2020
  • Vintage : 2020
  • Country : Italy
  • Region : Tuscany
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Fruity Medium Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc

Gaja Ca'Marcanda Camarcanda Bolgheri is a sophisticated and expressive blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, offering a seamless marriage of richness and refinement from Bolgheri’s iconic terroirs.

Experts Score Vintage
WS Wine Spectator 95 2020
RP Robert Parker 95 2020
JS James Suckling 95 2020
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 94 2019
W&S Wines & Spirits 96 2018
DCT Decanter 92 2018
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Camarcanda is produced in the Bolgheri D.O.P., a region known for its ability to produce world-class Bordeaux-style blends. The vineyards are planted on white soils rich in limestone, firm clay, and stones, which contribute to the wine’s minerality and structural elegance.

The 2020 vintage was defined by a warm winter with well-distributed rainfall from October 2019 to February 2020, followed by two spring frosts in April that slightly impacted the youngest vines. The growing season saw significant temperature fluctuations and consistent rainfall, necessitating careful vineyard management. The summer was warm and steady, avoiding heat waves until mid-September. Harvest began on September 5 with healthy, fully ripe grapes showcasing fine skins and elevated sugar content.

Winemaking

Camarcanda 2020 is crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with the two varietals fermenting and macerating separately for approximately 15 days. The wine is aged for 12 months in oak barrels, followed by an additional six months in concrete vats. After blending, it undergoes several months of bottle aging to refine its balance and complexity.

This meticulous process ensures that the wine reflects both the unique character of Bolgheri’s terroir and the precision of Gaja’s winemaking philosophy.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Bright purple-red, reflecting its vibrant nature.
  • Aroma: Expressive and impactful, featuring notes of blueberry, raspberry, and blood orange, complemented by aromatic hints of licorice, Mediterranean pine, and rosemary.
  • Palate: Fat and salty, with silky tannins and a medium structure. The wine finishes long and persistent, leaving a harmonious impression.

Did you know?

The name Ca'Marcanda is derived from a Piedmontese dialect expression meaning "the house of endless negotiations," a nod to the protracted discussions between Angelo Gaja and the previous landowners before the estate’s acquisition in 1996.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Tagliatelle with beef ragù: The wine’s vibrant acidity and herbal nuances complement the richness of the ragù.
  • Grilled Florentine steak: Its structure and tannins pair beautifully with the bold flavors of the meat.
  • Roasted vegetables with balsamic glaze: The wine’s savory and slightly salty profile balances the sweet and smoky flavors of the vegetables.
  • Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano: The wine’s silky tannins and fruit-forward nature enhance the cheese’s nutty, umami character.

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 (2020)
The aromas in this red are a bit muted today, yet the black currant, blueberry, violet, cedar and wild herb flavors are expressive and well-delineated. Gains support from lively acidity and a dense matrix of tannins as this finishes long and palate-staining. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026.

Robert Parker (RP) : 95 Points (2020)
The 2020 Bolgheri Rosso Camarcanda is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc in a supporting role. Showing youthful primary fruit at this young stage, the wine delivers impressive balance and fruit versus oak integration. Angelo Gaja and his team are dedicated to the pursuit of elegance in these two grape varieties that can often deliver too much power and concentration when unchecked. Timing the harvest correctly and the careful use of French oak is key to these overall results, especially with regard to the medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and the long silkiness of this age-worthy vintage.

James Suckling (JS) : 95 Points (2020)
Currants, rose petals and ink with some fresh herbs as well. Medium-bodied with fine and tensioned tannins that give focus and beauty to the wine. This will come together beautifully. A blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Try after 2028, but already excellent.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 94 Points (2019)
The 2019 Camarcanda is a very good example of how much the wines have changed here. Medium in body with good depth, the 2019 Camarcanda is a tightly wound wine that is going to need a number of years to be at its best. Dark cherry, mocha, new leather, licorice and spice build nicely, with pretty floral and mineral accents that liven up the finish. The 2019 is classy, elegant and polished. Give it a few years, as the tannins are pretty intense today, but this softens nicely with air. 94+ (AG) (7/2022)

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 96 Points (2018)
After Bolgheri’s torrid and parched 2017 growing season, more moder-ate conditions in 2018 brought the vines and their wines shimmering to life. All of the wines at Ca’Marcanda fermented spontaneously in 2018, which Gaia Gaja attributes to the balance in the musts. This wine, a blend of cabernets sauvignon and franc, is taut and energetic, its flavors of crunchy plum and blackberry laced with notes of licorice, tobacco and graphite.

Decanter (DCT) : 92 Points (2018)
This Camarcanda is reserved. Despite precise cassis fruit it is restrained, enhanced by clove and black pepper aromas. On the palate is a mix of dark fruits from plum to cherry, with firm chalky tannins and fierce acidity, still tight on the finish. The texture is good and it will improve. A perfect example of this cooler vintage with Cabernets.

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WS
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RP
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WS
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