2018 Barbaresco
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Tasting notes
The 2018 straight Barbaresco is a bit of an anomaly for Gaja. The 2018 proved a great vintage for the region but a freak hailstorm wiped out one of Gaja’s top three single vineyard sites (Sorí San Lorenzo) – typically bottled separately in vintages as good as 2018. However, Gaja either bottles all three of their single-vineyard cuvées or none at all – so their top single vineyards of Costa Russi and Sorí Tildin have found their way into this 2018 Barbaresco. The 2018 Barbaresco has a delicate nose with classic aromas of cherry, rose and cloves. On the palate it is equally pretty and perfumed with a luxurious creaminess and a long, clean finish. While not overly structured or extracted, it is silky and smooth with great fruit purity. Gaja's dedication to accentuating the beautiful perfume of the vintage has really paid off. In this delicate vintage they reduced the use of barriques down to a third, the wine spending just six months in barrel and the rest of its maturation in traditional larger old oak casks.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Barbaresco has really come together nicely since I last tasted it. A super-classic wine, the 2018 offers up soaring aromatics, mid-weight structure and fine balance. Pure, transparent and impeccable in its balance, the 2018 is just sublime today. Time has been so beneficial here. Crushed red berry, spice, mint and rose petal grave this effusive, refined Barbaresco from Gaja. This is the best showing of the 2018 yet, and I say that having tasted a few bottles already.
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.
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.
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.