2019 Barbaresco
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Tasting notes
Given the calibre of the fruit in this wine – with grapes from all three of Gaja’s top single-vineyards, Sorí Tildin, Sorí San Lorenzo and Costa Russi all included in this vintage – it’s no surprise that it is exceptional. Violet perfume lifts from the glass, the scent layered over swathes of bright red cherry fruit. There are notes of smoke and spice from time in oak (12 months prior to blending, and another 12 afterwards to marry), but the wine offers incredible purity of fruit and gorgeous elegance – silken and effortless on the palate with its crunch of tart red fruit. The acidity is bright, with an almost mandarin bite, making the mouth water and off-setting the layering of super-fine tannins. The finish is saline and savoury, with an almost iodine edge. Vibrant, pure and with a suppleness typical of Nebbiolo in Barbaresco – this is very fine.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Gaja did not make its cru wines from Barbaresco (like Sorì San Lorenzo) in 2019 because the vineyards suffered repercussions one year after severe hail storms struck in 2018. Because of the irregularity found across the various sites, the best fruit was carefully selected and put into this wine instead. The 2019 Barbaresco is striking and beautiful as a result, with enormous depth and clarity. This is a generous wine with ample structure, lots of vibrant acidity, sweet tannins and a bright core of primary fruit. Gaia Gaja tells me that she considers 2018 to be more structured and vertical; however, but I love the richness and texture of this wine.
Full bottle 1,420 g. Palish ruby. Taut, savoury, minerally nose with an undertow of spice and brooding raspberry. Elegant, dry raspberry fruit that is still a little embryonic and rich, coating, gorgeous, tactile tannins. Great balance and purity of fruit, but not ready yet. (WS)
Gaja's 2019 Barbaresco is gorgeous. Bright and nervy, with fabulous balance, the 2019 captures all the best this tricky vintage had to offer. Gaja did not bottle any other Barbaresco crus, opting to use the best lots for this bottling. That decision paid off in a 2019 that sizzles with tension. The aromatics alone are captivating. Bright acids lend vibrancy to a core of beautifully delineated Nebbiolo fruit. I can't wait to see how this ages.
About the producer
Gaja has been at the forefront of the Piedmont wine scene for many years and is Barbaresco’s most decorated producer. The winery has received a record number of Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri awards – the highest accolade from Italy’s leading wine publication.