2020 Gaja Ca' Marcanda Magari
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Tasting notes
The last of this short vertical tasting of Magari, the 2020 Magari is a rich but bright red color and moves back to a more elegant frame. While it’s less expressive than the 2021, it has wonderful mineral lift, with notes of graphite and wet stone, black cherries, sage, and cedar. Full-bodied and approachable, the palate is highly charming, with a juicy feel to its ripe, rounded tannins, even freshness, and a juicy, fruity finish. While it might not have the aging potential of the 2021, it’s showing gorgeously now and will drink well over the coming 10-15 years.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Magari is bright, effusive and super-expressive. Crushed rose petals, cinnamon, cedar and red plum fruit lend brightness to this mid-weight, nervy Magari. There is a bit of edginess in the tannin that needs to resolve. Otherwise, this is very nicely done.
The 2020 Bolgheri Rosso Magari is Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, with the Franc in a leading position at 60% to 65%. Born in a vintage that saw plenty of sunshine and luminosity from the Tyrrhenian Sea just a few kilometers away, this edition of Magari is especially round, voluminous and fleshed out. The 2020 vintage is considered quite toasty elsewhere in Tuscany, but in fact was more contained here along the Tuscan Coast thanks to steep diurnal shifts between day and nighttime temperatures and a cool spring. The year also saw enough rain at the right moments to assure stress-free fruit ripening. The wine opens to dark blackberry and sweet spice, with a very polished and silky side to robust fruit concentration.
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.