Gaja Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo 2021

100 points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "Presenting a more youthful appearance, the 2021 Barbaresco Sori San Lorenzo is a complete wine already, with ripe, expressive fruit as well as notes of ripe cherry liqueur and pressed flowers. While the oak is going to need time to come together, the wine simultaneously displays broad tannins, power, weightlessness, and an intense mineral drive. It evolves rapidly in the glass, developing notes of pure cinnamon, and continues to reveal more layers over time. (5/13/24)"

99 points James Suckling: "A rather exotic and wild Sori San Lorenzo. Even flamboyant. Dried flowers and spices with bark, mushroom and dried dark cherry. Perfumed and primary with earth. Full-bodied and juicy with such fine velvety tannins that are layered and superb. So classic and soft on the palate with great length. Give this four to five years, but a classic in the making. Try after 2029. (8/14/24)"

98 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "Last to be tasted and the most powerful in this series of single-vineyard wines is the Gaja 2021 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo. This vintage delivers striking intensity that is focused and pure. Dark berry fruit is surrounded by spice, earth and licorice. The tannins are quite present in the San Lorenzo, especially in this vintage, and ideally this bottle should see many more years of bottle evolution. With so many decades of family history behind this site, San Lorenzo's excellence is an enduring symbol of the creativity and expertise of the Gaja legacy. Drink: 2027-2055. (Jan 2025)"

98 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo is a dark, brooding beauty. In most vintages, Sorì San Lorenzo is more demonstrative, but the 2021 is not in the mood to show all its cards. Black cherry, plum, graphite, menthol and spice emerge with some reticence. Readers will have to be patient with this embryonic Barbaresco. Sadly, production is down by about 30% because of frost. Drink: 2027-2041. (Oct 2024)"

98 points Bruce Sanderson (Wine Spectator): "[$1,056 list] This rich, juicy version is packed with ripe cherry, raspberry, rose, graphite and menthol aromas and flavors. The lush, supple texture is offset by a dense line of chalky tannins that build on the finish. Showing superb balance and length, this teases you with its up-front fruit before tightening up, a foreshadowing of its potential. Best from 2027 through 2050. 125 cases imported. (11/30/24)"

98 points/'Editors' Choice,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$1,056 list] An enchanting blend of tea and herbs tangos with grilled cherries and reconstituted currants creates an aromatic profile that's sure to turn heads. The palate is a sublime combination of fresh and preserved red berries, wild herbs, leaves, tar, and crushed stone that all work in unison, ever-evolving with each glance of the glass. Well-structured and firm, a wine of remarkable elegance. Drink from 2027. Alcohol 14%. (Dec 2024)"

98 points Falstaff: "Bright ruby with a broad garnet rim. Exciting nose with aromas of roses and cranberries, then lots of ripe wild raspberry, underpinned by fine spice components. Full-bodied, very well-distributed multi-layered tannins, characterises the palate, coated with fine texture, currently similarly closed as the Tildin, but has great ageing potential, which can be enjoyed for decades to come. (10/4/24)"

97 points Kerin O'Keefe: "Always the most structured of the firm's Barbarescos, the impressive Gaja 2021 Sorì San Lorenzo delivers flavors of cherry tart, ripe strawberry, blood orange and licorice set against a backbone of firm, refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it impeccably balanced and energized. While you won't need many years for this to come around, it also boasts excellent aging potential. Drink 2029–2039. Abv: 14%. (Apr 2024)"

97 points Ian D'Agata Wine Review (Oct 2024).