Gaja Rossj Bass Chardonnay 2022

Gaja Rossj Bass Chardonnay 2022

 

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Gaja
Rossj Bass Chardonnay 2022
  • Vintage : 2022
  • Country : Italy
  • Region : Piedmont (Langhe DOC)
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 95% Chardonnay, 5% Sauvignon Blanc

Named in honor of Angelo Gaja’s daughter Rossana, Rossj Bass offers a captivating interplay of lush fruit, Mediterranean herbs, and refreshing acidity, embodying the innovative spirit of one of Italy’s most celebrated winemaking families.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 90 2016
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Rossj Bass 2022 hails from the Langhe D.O.P., a region renowned for producing some of Italy’s finest wines. The grapes are sourced from multiple vineyards, including the Rossj vineyard—a tribute to Angelo Gaja’s daughter Rossana.

The vineyards sit on thin calcareous clay soils, complemented by richer, less compact soils in other plots. The vintage was defined by extreme drought, with only 300-400 mm of rainfall—well below Piedmont’s average of 800-1200 mm. A crucial rainfall in April revived vegetative growth, but dry conditions in June necessitated green harvesting to reduce water stress. Harvest began early, on August 19, 2022, producing healthy grapes with good concentration and vibrant aromatics.

Winemaking

Rossj Bass 2022 is a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel tanks and barrels. This dual approach preserves the varietals’ freshness while imparting subtle complexity and depth.

The careful vinification process ensures that the wine’s aromatic qualities and natural acidity are accentuated, delivering a balanced, full-bodied profile.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale golden yellow with brilliant clarity.
  • Aroma: Layers of sulfur reminiscent of a matchstick mingle with sweet floral notes of wisteria and acacia, complemented by mint, musk mallow, and delicate pear. Final nuances include juniper berries, lemon sage, and cedar.
  • Palate: Soft and savory with a rounded finish. The wine’s vibrant acidity provides freshness without being overwhelming. It is full-bodied, with a persistent and spicy aftertaste.

Did you know?

The name Rossj Bass honors Angelo Gaja’s second daughter, Rossana, and reflects a family tradition of naming wines after their loved ones. The inaugural vintage of Rossj Bass was produced in 1988, making it a staple of Gaja’s commitment to innovation in white wine production.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Risotto with lemon and thyme: The wine’s citrus and herbal notes complement the bright and creamy flavors of the risotto.
  • Grilled sea bass with fennel and olive oil: The savory finish and herbal undertones enhance the delicate flavors of the fish.
  • Pasta with clams and garlic: The wine’s acidity balances the briny sweetness of the clams.
  • Fresh goat cheese with herbs: The wine’s floral and herbal character pairs beautifully with the creaminess of the cheese.

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.

Robert Parker (RP) : 90 Points (2016)
Crisp and luminous, the 2016 Langhe Rossj-Bass is Chardonnay enhanced with a tiny part Sauvignon Blanc. This second grape only constitutes 5% of the blend, yet its presence is felt in a big way. The wine presents pristine and sharply delineated tones of exotic fruit, peach and white rose. Fruit is sourced in Barbaresco and in Serralunga d'Alba. This wine delivers a bright spot of acidity that was shaped by the steep diurnal temperature shifts that characterized the tail end of the growing season. Much work has been achieved in the vineyards to optimize farming and to ensure that ripening does not advance too quickly or with too much alcohol. This wine will be released at the end of July 2017 and I tasted it just before bottling. Rating: 90+

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