Gaja
— Portfolio —
ROSSJ-BASS CHARDONNAY 2023
Bottle Shot
The wine is titled after the Rossj vineyard named by Lucia and Angelo after their second daughter Rossana (Rossj was her nickname) and a second vineyard positioned in the lower part of a hill (low in Italian is “basso”) which were the basis for the original blend, both planted in 1984. The first vintage was in 1998.
The ‘historical’ vineyards that remain the core (at present) of Rossj-Bass are situated predominantly in the Barbaresco commune – Cru’s of Pozzo, Bricco & Faset alongside a vineyard in neighbouring Treiso commune in the Pajore Cru. There are also three historical vineyards in the South West as the crow flies from Barbaresco in Serralunga d’Alba, named sites of Feja & Vivaldo 1 e 2.
However it’s perhaps Gaja’s new ‘project in Langhe Alta that we should shine a light on to better understand their vision for the future of their whites in the region. With the increasing average temperatures of Barbaresco they began searching for a new potential site to plant white varietals. This came to fruition in the form of some abandoned vineyards with amazing potential sitting at 650 metres above sea level in the Alta Langhe zone, situated SE of the Barbaresco zone, around the communes of Trezzo, Mango and Borgomale. Planting began of predominantly Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc retaining the natural unique shape of the existing terracing.
Adding to the site a brand new winery built specifically for them to vinify all their white wines. Full production of all whites began here from the 2023 vintage.
Rossj-Bass is predominantly Chardonnay with a touch of Sauvignon Blanc. The Alta Langhe component at present only represents a small portion of the overall blend due to the youth of the vineyards but this component will expand as the vines mature. Predominantly fermented in tank with 20% in barrel. 20% malolactic.
GAIA & REY CHARDONNAY 2022
Bottle Shot
A wine that perhaps needs no formal introduction but most certainly deserves one, especially if you are just starting your vinous journey with Gaja. Arguably Italy’s most iconic Chardonnay and at the time of creation a very controversial one when it was first released in 1983. Planting Chardonnay within in the boundaries of Barbaresco DOCG in Treiso was unthinkable yet now most would acknowledge it was just one of several innovative thoughts/ideas from Angelo Gaja that challenged the traditions of the region and cemented the estate as one of the greatest producers of Italy if not fine wine globally.
Named after Lucia and Angelo Gaja’s daughter, Gaia Gaja and Angelo Gaja’s grandmother Clotilde Rey.
Gaia & Rey Chardonnay is produced from two separated vineyards in the Langhe district: Giacosa planted in 1979 in Treiso and Rivettte in Serralunga d’Alba planted in 1989. Total of approximately 5.5 hectares planted specifically with Chardonnay between these vineyards for Gaia & Rey.
At present the wine continues to be 100% from these two sites but with the recently planting of Chardonnay in the Langhe Alta by Gaja it’s expected as these vines mature a component will be included from these higher altitude vineyards. From the 2023 vintage this wine will be solely made at the new winery in the Langhe Alta which Gaja has built specifically for the pursuit of producing their white wines.
100% fermented in barrel and the wine goes through full malolactic. 6 to 8 months elevage in barrel.
“What a beautiful chardonnay, with sliced cooked apples, pears, light cream and pineapple, but so well knit together with a mouthfeel that is caressing and fine textured. So enticing to drink now, but will improve with age. Drink or hold.” – 96 points – James Suckling
SITO MORESCO 2022
NEBBIOLO, BARBERA, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT
Bottle Shot
This wine has evolved it’s blend of varieties to just Nebbiolo & Barbera which has happened as a consequence of Gaja’s decision to revert their iconic single vineyard Barbaresco’s of Sori San Lorenzo, Sori Tilden and Costa Russi back to 100% Nebbiolo. This has however ‘free’d up’ some wonderful old vine Barbera that was previously being blended into these wines and is now part of the Sito Moresco bottling.
Most of the fruit comes from Pajore in Treiso and vineyards in Serralunga. 60% Nebbiolo, 40% Barbera.
The Nebbiolo and Barbera components are fermented separately plot by plot. Fermented in a mix of tank and oak then blended in oak in oak for 12 months.
DAGROMIS BAROLO 2020
Bottle Shot
Dagromis Barolo is a blend of 7 different vineyards over the communes of La Morra and Serralunga d’Alba. Silio, Serra dei Turchi, Cerequio from La Morra & 4 from Serralunga: Rivette, Broglio, Margheria, Colombaio. There is a beautiful mosaic here of both vine age and terrior, ranging from vines planted in 1965 in Silio in La Morra on deep compact clay silt soils to Broglio in Serralunga where the soils are sandy, light & soft.
Each vineyard is fermented separately followed by maceration then aged in oak for 12 months, predominantly french oak. The differing sites are then blended and further aged in oak for another 18 months in Slovanian oak Botti.
First vintage produced in 1998.
Barbaresco. Rare is it in the modern wine world where just one producer within a region is so intrinsically linked to the name itself. Gaja’s innovation and bravery at a time when no-one really cared for Barbaresco has helped all boats rise with the tide in a region that was over shadowed by it’s bigger brother Barolo for generations.
Gaja’s Barbaresco is sourced from 14 different vineyards over the communes of Barbaresco and Treiso. The Barbaresco vineyards of Loreto, Castello, Masue’, Faset, Rocagliette, Roncaglie Vecchio, Roncaglie Nuovo, Bernino, Bricco, Trifolera, Valdrapp blended with the Treiso vineyards of Pajore’, Sotto, Pajore’ Sopra, Pajore’ Universita’.
The grapes are fermented separately plot by plot & aged separately for 12 months if French oak. The component parts are then blended then aged another 12 months in Slavonian oak botti.
“The aromas of licorice, minerals, light tar and dark berries such as raspberry are so attractive. It’s medium-bodied with a tight and integrated palate of fine tannins that are seamless and unseen. It’s long and lively. It needs two to four years to open up. Try after 2027” – 95 points – James Suckling
“Aromatics of spiced orange peel, an assertive bouquet of dried purple florals and a touch of dried mint. The palate balances the savoury character of baking chocolate and fennel seed with an abundance of ripe red berry fruits—notes of strawberry and balsamic, raspberries and fresh mint and dried tobacco. There is ample structure, but a stylistic transition in more recent vintages of Barbaresco makes this wine immediately drinkable.” – 95 Points – Clive Pursehouse – Decanter
“So many aromas of fresh rose petals as well as hibiscus tea. Medium-bodied with crunchy and flowery character with sliced strawberries and a bright finish. So appealing with lovely structure. Chewy at the end. Drinkable but better in three or four years.” – 95 Points – James Suckling