Gaja - Barbaresco 2021

The Gaja family settled in Piedmont (northwest Italy) in the mid-seventeenth century. Five generations of Gajas have been producing wines in Piedmont’s Langhe hills since 1859, the year Giovanni Gaja, a local grape grower, founded the GAJA Winery in Barbaresco. 

Giovanni’s son, Angelo (grandfather of today’s Angelo Gaja), was blessed with ambition and vision. Clotilde Rey, whom he married in 1905, inspired him to establish the tradition to which the Gajas have adhered ever since – total dedication to uncompromising quality. 

Angelo and Clotilde’s son, Giovanni, continued to follow the high standards his parents had set, producing Barbarescos that were renowned throughout Italy. Thanks to his Barbaresco, the winery’s flagship, Gaja wines achieved a leadership position in Italy. Giovanni increased vineyard holdings, acquiring Sorì Tildìn, Costa Russi, Sorì San Lorenzo and Darmagi, thereby permitting the Gaja family to produce wines of the highest quality exclusively from its own vineyards. 

Giovanni’s son, Angelo, joined the Winery in 1961 and combined his respect for the traditions of the Langhe with bold innovations in the vineyards and the cellars. He also introduced GAJA wines to foreign markets. 

Today, Angelo lives in Barbaresco with his wife Lucia and their three children, Gaia, Rossana, and Giovanni who represent the fifth generation. 

The grapes, coming from each single vineyard, separately undergo fermentation, maceration, and aging in oak for 12 months. Then they are blended and further age in oak for another 12 months.

"The aromas of licorice, minerals, light tar and dark berries such as raspberry are so attractive. It’s medium-bodied with a tight and integrated palate of fine tannins that are seamless and unseen. It’s long and lively. It needs two to four years to open up.” - 95 Points, James Suckling

"A pure embodiment of Nebbiolo's elegance, opening with enticing aromas of ripe red berries, violet petals, and earthy undertones. The palate leaps forward with flavors of juicy cherries, plums, and a touch of spice. A chalky minerality sits at the core, with fine-grained tannins that create a structure perfectly balanced, each part of the wine is precise and effortlessly flows into the next. A wine to explore today but let it rest in the cellar for decades to come.” - 95 Points, Wine Enthusiast 

"The 2021 Barbaresco is a powerful, layered wine from Gaja. In some recent years, the Barbaresco has been pretty approachable out of the gate, but the 2021 is a deep, serious wine with a lot of potential for future development. Pretty floral and spice notes linger on the finish. I admire its vibrant, dynamic personality.” - 94 Points, Vinous

Producer: Gaja

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Varietal: Nebbiolo

Appellation: Barbaresco

Vintage: 2021

Size: 750ml