Gaja - Barbaresco 2020

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 Gaja 2020 Barbaresco reveals a slow and steady approach with elegant Nebbiolo nuances, lots of pretty intensity and bright primary fruit all the way to the far end of the mouthfeel. The bouquet has hints of toasted cumin, spice and cured leather. There's special depth to the mouthfeel that is pushed forward by freshness, integrated tannins and savory earthy end notes. The style is modern-classic.” - 94 Points, Wine Advocate

“The wine opens with aromas of ripe cherries, warmed strawberries in sweet spices, fresh herbs and mixed flowers. The palate is lifted and vibrant with a verve that electrifies the palate as flavors of boysenberry, dried blood orange and black tea saunter about alongside well-integrated tannins.” - 94 Points, Wine Enthusiast 

"The 2020 Barbaresco is a very young wine. In most years, the Gaja Barbaresco is quite showy, but the 2020 clearly needs time. There's terrific fruit intensity, but the aromatics aren't quite expressive. These days the Gaja wines have less oak imprint, which pushes the fruit forward, but also yields a wine that is a bit more austere in the early going." - 94 Points, Vinous

Producer: Gaja

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Varietal: Nebbiolo

Appellation: Barbaresco

Vintage: 2020

Size: 750ml