Gaja Costa Russi Barbaresco 2016
-
Gaja is simply one of the most famous Italian wine producers. The business was founded in 1859 in Langhe, Piedmont by Giovanni Gaja and it is his great grandson, Angelo Gaja, who currently runs the company. They are most famous for classic Piedmont wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco. Indeed, Angelo has often been referred to as the “King of Barbaresco” and has been responsible for developing techniques that have revolutionised winemaking in Italy.
Vineyard: Gaja Costa Russi Barbaresco is named Costa, after the Italian name for the “side of a hill”, and Russi which was the nickname of the estate’s previous owner. The vineyard is located in the municipality of Barbaresco just a little bit below the Sorì Tildin vineyard. The vineyard has a south-western exposure and is situated on clayey-calcareous marls. The vineyard covers some 4.35 hactares at an average altitude of 230 metres above sea level and the vines have an average age of 65 years old. After harvest, the 100% Nebbiolo grapes undergo fermentation and maceration for around three weeks followed by ageing in oak for 24 months.
Gaja Costa Russi Barbaresco is one of three single vineyard Barbaresco wines produced in only the smallest quantities. The other two Gaja single vineyard Barbaresco wines are the Sorì San Lorenzo and Sorì Tildìn. It is the most inviting and generous of the three Gaja single vineyards. The vineyard was purchased in 1967.
Weather in 2016: Despite tricky beginnings, the 2016 vintage for Piedmont was extremely good. The spring was unusually cool, which delayed flowering and, ultimately, the rest of the harvest. However, temperatures eventually lifted and a warm, dry summer ensued and despite the lack of rainfall, the vines never succumbed to drought. Barring one very violent storm in July, which brought fierce winds and wide-ranging hail, the growing season was extremely smooth. Although, the storm did cost some producers a cut in yields by up to 10 percent. Conditions remained good in the lead-up towards harvest, and strong diurnal temperature differences proved ideal for Nebbiolo to ripen while retaining its distinctive delicate aromas. The resulting harvest was superb for Nebbiolo as the grapes had had enough time to fully ripen.
Technical Information:
Grape varieties: 100% Nebbiolo
Vineyard: Costa Russi
Appellation: Barbaresco
Region: Piedmont
Alcohol: 14 %
Fermentation: 24 months ageing in oak
Closure: Cork
Tasting Note: Simply sensational. Superb complexity and seriously impressive intensity. The appearance is a slightly dull medium cherry colour, but there’s nothing dull about the nose, which is open and aromatic, with sweet cherries, ripe strawberries, nail varnish, dry roses, red pepper and molasses. The palate shows marked intensity, incredible complexity, searing acidity, ripe tannins, generous alcohol and great balance, with a long finish. Elegant and well structured, with great depth, this will age and improve over the next three decades. - Tasted by Clement Robert MS
Vineyard: Gaja Costa Russi Barbaresco is named Costa, after the Italian name for the “side of a hill”, and Russi which was the nickname of the estate’s previous owner. The vineyard is located in the municipality of Barbaresco just a little bit below the Sorì Tildin vineyard. The vineyard has a south-western exposure and is situated on clayey-calcareous marls. The vineyard covers some 4.35 hactares at an average altitude of 230 metres above sea level and the vines have an average age of 65 years old. After harvest, the 100% Nebbiolo grapes undergo fermentation and maceration for around three weeks followed by ageing in oak for 24 months.
Gaja Costa Russi Barbaresco is one of three single vineyard Barbaresco wines produced in only the smallest quantities. The other two Gaja single vineyard Barbaresco wines are the Sorì San Lorenzo and Sorì Tildìn. It is the most inviting and generous of the three Gaja single vineyards. The vineyard was purchased in 1967.
Weather in 2016: Despite tricky beginnings, the 2016 vintage for Piedmont was extremely good. The spring was unusually cool, which delayed flowering and, ultimately, the rest of the harvest. However, temperatures eventually lifted and a warm, dry summer ensued and despite the lack of rainfall, the vines never succumbed to drought. Barring one very violent storm in July, which brought fierce winds and wide-ranging hail, the growing season was extremely smooth. Although, the storm did cost some producers a cut in yields by up to 10 percent. Conditions remained good in the lead-up towards harvest, and strong diurnal temperature differences proved ideal for Nebbiolo to ripen while retaining its distinctive delicate aromas. The resulting harvest was superb for Nebbiolo as the grapes had had enough time to fully ripen.
Technical Information:
Grape varieties: 100% Nebbiolo
Vineyard: Costa Russi
Appellation: Barbaresco
Region: Piedmont
Alcohol: 14 %
Fermentation: 24 months ageing in oak
Closure: Cork
Tasting Note: Simply sensational. Superb complexity and seriously impressive intensity. The appearance is a slightly dull medium cherry colour, but there’s nothing dull about the nose, which is open and aromatic, with sweet cherries, ripe strawberries, nail varnish, dry roses, red pepper and molasses. The palate shows marked intensity, incredible complexity, searing acidity, ripe tannins, generous alcohol and great balance, with a long finish. Elegant and well structured, with great depth, this will age and improve over the next three decades. - Tasted by Clement Robert MS
