About the Wine

Gaja is one of the most prestigious and influential wineries in the Piedmont region of Italy. Few wineries evoke excellence and artistry the way the Gaja family name does. To utter these two simple syllables is to call forth one of the greatest and most venerated traditions in European winemaking. 

The Gaja family landed in Piemonte from Spain in the 17th century. Following WWII, Giovanni Gaja acquired extensive vineyard holdings in the area. His son, Angelo, is considered one of Italy's pioneers of modern winemaking. After studying wine in Montpellier, he was one of the first to bring French techniques such as barrique barrel aging, malolactic fermentation, and modern technical innovations. Yet, he continued to implement extended macerations following fermentation. By raising the level and recognition of Nebbiolo, Angelo Gaja has been commended by every major wine publication in the world and acknowledged as an innovator. Today, his two daughters Gaia and Rossana manage the extensive land holdings and global distribution of this important brand.

Gaja Barbaresco is considered the flagship wine of the Gaja portfolio. Sourced from across the 14 vast vineyard holdings of the Gaja family, this is a wine that best represents a vintage. 2019 was an outstanding vintage, rated 95 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. An elegant dame, the super fine tannins make the mouth pucker. Brickish red in color, the wine explodes in the mouth with an amazingly long finish. With decanting, this wine is already enjoyable, but the patient collector will enjoy the wine for up to 25 years. To learn more about this amazing grape and its wines, click here.

Aging: 12 months in French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes: 100% Nebbiolo. 
See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.

Reviews

Gaja’s 2019 Barbaresco was bottled only a few days before this tasting but it already has sweet roses and red fruits on the nose with very subtle, gentle spice notes. It has a great texture and flows gracefully across the palate. It feels very harmonious with plenty of refreshing acidity and finely integrated tannins. Sublimely elegant with a fine, silt-like texture to the tannins, it is poised, beautifully understated and charming. Keep for 2 years and drink for up to 20 plus. ~97 The Wine Independent

Clear, brightening ruby garnet. Fragrant, finely marked nose, of raspberry, rose petals and ripe cherries, inviting. Polished, finely meshed tannin characterizes the wine on the palate, like a fine robe, salty, lots of ripe cherry, long finish. ~96 Falstaff

A complex red, this reveals multidimensional aromas and flavors of rose, cherry, licorice, mineral and spices. This is fused to a vibrant structure that, for now, gives a taut, almost racy profile. Marrying power and grace, this ends in a long, floral- and spice-tinged aftertaste. Best from 2026 through 2045. 750 cases imported. ~94 Wine Spectator

This has aromas of iron, mineral, bitter chocolate, wild strawberries, raw walnuts, orange peel and decayed roses. Medium- to full-bodied, with sleek and very chalky tannins. Lots of fruit on the palate with a fine, fresh and mineral end. Pure and linear. Try in 2025. ~94 James Suckling

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. ~93+ Vinous

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