Gaja Rossj-Bass Chardonnay 2023

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.