1996 Costa Russi
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Tasting notes
The 1996 Costa Russi is sensual, dark and voluptuous, within the context of a vintage that yielded big, powerful wines. Black cherry, smoke, iron, graphite and dark spices infuse this rich, textured wine. Like all of these 1996s, the Costa Russi is quite virile and masculine in style, even though it has more curvy contours, greater sensuality than the other wines in the range. The first signs of tertiary complexity have begun to develop. Scents of sweet tobacco, macerated cherry, menthol, licorice, dried herbs and smoke add nuance throughout. Costa Russi is the most forward of Gaja's four wines from Barbaresco, but has plenty of life ahead.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
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The 1996 Costa Russi reminds me of how a great Zinfandel or a great red Burgundy would taste if made by Angelo Gaja. A seductive nose of black raspberries, violets, licorice, and pain grille is followed by a rich wine with pure black fruit flavors intertwined with sweet, smoky oak. Full-bodied, with ripe tannin, this internationally-styled, stunningly proportioned, big, compelling 1996 will be at its peak between 2003-2023. As I reported in issue #124 (8-27-99), 1996 is a spectacular vintage for Angelo Gaja. There is a lot of speculation as to why he has dropped the name Barbaresco from the labels of his single-vineyard wines, but given his personality and overall commitment to quality, it can only be to improve the quality and give him some flexibility in difficult vintages to produce a wine that may or may not be 100% Nebbiolo. At least that's how I view it. Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (516) 467-5907
The 1996 Costa Russi reminds me of how a great Zinfandel or a great red Burgundy would taste if made by Angelo Gaja. A seductive nose of black raspberries, violets, licorice, and pain grille is followed by a rich wine with pure black fruit flavors intertwined with sweet, smoky oak. Full-bodied, with ripe tannin, this internationally-styled, stunningly proportioned, big, compelling 1996 will be at its peak between 2003-2023. Aug 2000, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Gaja has been at the forefront of the Piedmont wine scene for many years and is Barbaresco’s most decorated producer. The winery has received a record number of Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri awards – the highest accolade from Italy’s leading wine publication.