2016 Camarcanda

Without question, 2016 was a sensational vintage in Tuscany. The more wines we taste, the more this vintage rises in our estimation. This new release of Gaja’s 2016 Camarcanda from their Bolgheri estate is no exception. The family has turned out a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc blend that perfectly marries the Bolgheri terroir with a warm but balanced growing season and immaculate winemaking that focuses on freshness, elegance and expressiveness. Most renowned for their Barbaresco and Barolo, Gaja bought the Ca' Marcanda estate in 1996. It is farmed organically and has a state-of-the-art underground winery built into the Tuscan hills. They have enjoyed two wonderful vintages in a row; according to Gaia Gaja, the fifth generation of her family to work at the winery, “2015 and 2016 Camarcanda vintages clearly show the great potential that our land in Bolgheri has, these vintages are the best expression of Camarcanda so far”. For critic Antonio Galloni, who scored the 2015 95 points, the winery is going from strength to strength. He hasn’t yet scored the 2016s, but was full of praise last year: “these current releases from Gaja's Ca' Marcanda estate suggest the wines are moving in a style that favors freshness and energy over power, much as they have at Gaja's flagship estate in Piedmont. Needless to say, that is a very positive development. This is a gorgeous set of wines. Having tasted the 2016 vintage ourselves, we loved the freshness, energy, linearity and expressive nature of this wine. Unmistakably Italian with its vibrant acidity and dried floral and herbal notes, red and black fruits and chalky minerality, this is as elegant and proud a Cabernet blend that you could wish for. Immediately the warmth of the vintage jumps out of the glass as a Mediterranean medley of radiant red and black fruit, warmed lavender and thyme, fresh mint and hot stones. Great concentration on the nose is matched by linear focus and depth on the palate. Crunchy, juicy fruit, fresh acidity, a chalky, elegant mouthfeel with already approachable tannins, that will slowly melt away as this wine promises to age gracefully thanks to its acidity, structure and depth. Very elegant and highly recommended.