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Gaja Barbaresco 2018

Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
WE 98
JS 97
JD 96
DE 95
F 95
WA 94
Item # 345894

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$224.95
List $260.00   Save $35.05

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750ml
Out of Stock
 
98 points Kerin O'Keefe (Wine Enthusiast): "Fragrant and loaded with extraordinary finesse, this radiant red offers intense aromas of rose, violet, perfumed berry and camphor. The savory palate boasts flavor, energy and almost ethereal elegance, featuring red cherry, raspberry compote and baking spice alongside taut, polished tannins. It closes on a note of star anise while vibrant acidity keeps it impeccably balanced. It's already enjoyable but will also offer years of fine wining. Drink through 2033. Alcohol 14%. (Dec 2021)"

97 points James Suckling: "Aromas of ripe strawberries with hazelnuts, blood oranges and some coconut. Full-bodied with very refined and polished tannins that nicely form this young red wine. Fresh and delicious aftertaste of berry, cedar, bark and dark chocolate. Ever so subtle, yet powerful and driven at the finish. Very long and intense. Very classical style to it and cooler. This is a blend of seven vineyards including the Costa Russi and Sori Tilden. Approachable now, but better after 2025 and onwards. (10/5/21)"

96+ points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "The hallmark of the Gaja estate, the Barbaresco is sourced from 14 vineyards within Barbaresco and Treiso. For the 2018 vintage, there will be no single cru bottlings for Barbaresco, and all of the fruit has gone into the estate bottling. The 2018 Barbaresco is pure and inviting, with perfumed notes of rose petal, ripe raspberry, and clove. Medium-bodied and approachable, with super fine-grained tannins, it offers fresh strawberry, orange pith, and dusty earth. The undeniable elegance of this 2018 is joyful now, though it will be great to revisit over the next 15 years. Drink 2022-2036.The Gaja estate was founded in 1859, though it was Angelo Gaja, the fourth-generation winemaker of this Piedmont estate, who made the innovations that would help shape the region as it is today. The entire family shares responsibilities across their estates. There is great attention taken to practicing sustainable and regenerative farming. Drink: 2022-2036. (5/27/21)"

95 points Aldo Fiordelli (Decanter): "In 2018 Gaja did not produce any Sorì. All the grapes of San Lorenzo and Tildin have been used for this Barbaresco instead. 'It was a classic vintage, similar to 1991 or 1993,' said Rossana Gaja, 'however with 14% of alcohol.' It was cool and damp, so don't look for concentration, but the refinement and the freshness of this wine packs a punch. Scents of red berries, fresh violets, orange peel, wet slate and soft chocolate are followed by red fruit flavours. It's medium-bodied, loaded with polished tannins and lit up by racy acidity. More stylish than ageworthy, in my experience classic vintages such as this can give stunning results in the near term. Drinking Window: 2021-2033. (Mar 2021)"

95 points Falstaff Guide (11/26/21).

94+ points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "[$260 list] The Gaja 2018 Barbaresco is a wine of grace and purpose, with an elegant bouquet and a more powerful palate presence. These recent releases from the venerated house of Gaja are some of the most transparent and honest expressions to be found anywhere in the Langa. Some of the flashiness we saw in the past is today replaced by subtle Nebbiolo nuances and finesse, with crushed flowers, coriander, wild berry, smoke, tar and candied orange peel. This shift in character runs parallel to the slow and careful management transition from an older generation to a younger one. This 2018 vintage comes alive in the mouth, thanks to its balanced acidity and the absolutely bright and pristine quality of fruit delivered with such care. Drink: 2025-2048. (Jun 2021)"

94 points Bruce Sanderson (Wine Spectator): "[$260 list] This red is beautifully defined by the purity of its cherry fruit, accented by floral, strawberry and mint. Juicy and graceful, with a line of moderate tannins on the extended finish. Drink now through 2035. (11/15/21)"

94 points Susan Hulme (The Wine Independent): "The 2018 Gaja Barbaresco has an attractive, sweet spice note on the nose with just a hint of vanilla, cream, nutmeg and cinnamon - charming and enticing but quite subtle too. The nose becomes a little smoky on standing. It has very mouthwatering acidity with a lighter, leaner mid-palate surrounded by beautifully fine and elegant tannins. It has a lovely, juicy, vibrant and lively style. Though perhaps lacking the concentration for long ageing, there is a delightful weightless quality to the wine with beautifully elegant tannins. It is as stylish and elegant as ever but lighter in this 2018 vintage. Delicious served slightly chilled with light pasta and meat dishes. Drink now and for up to 20 years. Alcohol 14%. Drink: 2022-2042. (7/13/22)"
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98 points Kerin O'Keefe (Wine Enthusiast): "Fragrant and loaded with extraordinary finesse, this radiant red offers intense aromas of rose, violet, perfumed berry and camphor. The savory palate boasts flavor, energy and almost ethereal elegance, featuring red cherry, raspberry compote and baking spice alongside taut, polished tannins. It closes on a note of star anise while vibrant acidity keeps it impeccably balanced. It's already enjoyable but will also offer years of fine wining. Drink through 2033. Alcohol 14%. (Dec 2021)"

97 points James Suckling: "Aromas of ripe strawberries with hazelnuts, blood oranges and some coconut. Full-bodied with very refined and polished tannins that nicely form this young red wine. Fresh and delicious aftertaste of berry, cedar, bark and dark chocolate. Ever so subtle, yet powerful and driven at the finish. Very long and intense. Very classical style to it and cooler. This is a blend of seven vineyards including the Costa Russi and Sori Tilden. Approachable now, but better after 2025 and onwards. (10/5/21)"

96+ points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "The hallmark of the Gaja estate, the Barbaresco is sourced from 14 vineyards within Barbaresco and Treiso. For the 2018 vintage, there will be no single cru bottlings for Barbaresco, and all of the fruit has gone into the estate bottling. The 2018 Barbaresco is pure and inviting, with perfumed notes of rose petal, ripe raspberry, and clove. Medium-bodied and approachable, with super fine-grained tannins, it offers fresh strawberry, orange pith, and dusty earth. The undeniable elegance of this 2018 is joyful now, though it will be great to revisit over the next 15 years. Drink 2022-2036.The Gaja estate was founded in 1859, though it was Angelo Gaja, the fourth-generation winemaker of this Piedmont estate, who made the innovations that would help shape the region as it is today. The entire family shares responsibilities across their estates. There is great attention taken to practicing sustainable and regenerative farming. Drink: 2022-2036. (5/27/21)"

95 points Aldo Fiordelli (Decanter): "In 2018 Gaja did not produce any Sorì. All the grapes of San Lorenzo and Tildin have been used for this Barbaresco instead. 'It was a classic vintage, similar to 1991 or 1993,' said Rossana Gaja, 'however with 14% of alcohol.' It was cool and damp, so don't look for concentration, but the refinement and the freshness of this wine packs a punch. Scents of red berries, fresh violets, orange peel, wet slate and soft chocolate are followed by red fruit flavours. It's medium-bodied, loaded with polished tannins and lit up by racy acidity. More stylish than ageworthy, in my experience classic vintages such as this can give stunning results in the near term. Drinking Window: 2021-2033. (Mar 2021)"

95 points Falstaff Guide (11/26/21).

94+ points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "[$260 list] The Gaja 2018 Barbaresco is a wine of grace and purpose, with an elegant bouquet and a more powerful palate presence. These recent releases from the venerated house of Gaja are some of the most transparent and honest expressions to be found anywhere in the Langa. Some of the flashiness we saw in the past is today replaced by subtle Nebbiolo nuances and finesse, with crushed flowers, coriander, wild berry, smoke, tar and candied orange peel. This shift in character runs parallel to the slow and careful management transition from an older generation to a younger one. This 2018 vintage comes alive in the mouth, thanks to its balanced acidity and the absolutely bright and pristine quality of fruit delivered with such care. Drink: 2025-2048. (Jun 2021)"

94 points Bruce Sanderson (Wine Spectator): "[$260 list] This red is beautifully defined by the purity of its cherry fruit, accented by floral, strawberry and mint. Juicy and graceful, with a line of moderate tannins on the extended finish. Drink now through 2035. (11/15/21)"

94 points Susan Hulme (The Wine Independent): "The 2018 Gaja Barbaresco has an attractive, sweet spice note on the nose with just a hint of vanilla, cream, nutmeg and cinnamon - charming and enticing but quite subtle too. The nose becomes a little smoky on standing. It has very mouthwatering acidity with a lighter, leaner mid-palate surrounded by beautifully fine and elegant tannins. It has a lovely, juicy, vibrant and lively style. Though perhaps lacking the concentration for long ageing, there is a delightful weightless quality to the wine with beautifully elegant tannins. It is as stylish and elegant as ever but lighter in this 2018 vintage. Delicious served slightly chilled with light pasta and meat dishes. Drink now and for up to 20 years. Alcohol 14%. Drink: 2022-2042. (7/13/22)"
Product SKU 345894
Producer Gaja
Country Italy
Region Piedmont
SubRegion Barbaresco DOCG
Varietal Nebbiolo
Vintage 2018
Size 750ml
Color Red
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