Wine Advisor
Gaja, Barbaresco 2001
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Daniel Thomases
The 2001 Barbaresco is simply the best in living memory, eclipsing such impressive efforts as those made in 1982 and in 1970-1971. Poise, elegance, and balance are the keywords here, with lovely notes of licorice and roses followed by a broad, textured, layered palate, a seamless flow of pleasure which shows off all the ripeness, spiciness, and depth of the fruit. The prospects for the 2001 selections are obviously mouthwatering, but in the meantime this wine will give no end of pleasure between 2005 and 2016. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
2001 Gaja Barbaresco—Rich saturated ruby color. The nose is absolutely decadent, with sensations of spices, mint, and tar. On the palate the wine is tightly-wound, somewhat austere, yet dense and packed with flavors of dark cherries, and minerals. I’ve tasted this Barbaresco twice within the last six months and my sense is that this wine is still revealing just a hint of what it possesses. A wine to buy and forget about for many years. 93 points/drink 2009-2021 Although Gaja is often described as a modernist, my sense is that the label is a bit overblown. Fermentations for the Nebbiolo based wines are on the longish side and last 15-20 days. The wines are then aged for one year in barriques to give color, after which they complete their wood aging in 75 hectoliter casks. The wines have incredible aging potential, even in hot, ripe vintages as is demonstrated both by the 1997s I recently tasted and the 1990 Barolo Sperss.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2001 Barbaresco is gorgeous. Sweet balsamic notes open on the bouquet, followed intense, silky layers of fruit. The 2001 is subtle, classy and elegant from start to finish. Hints of early maturity appear in the aromatics, but the wine has more than enough fruit to support at least another decade of fine drinking. Tobacco, sweet herbs and licorice add the final notes of complexity. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021. Angelo Gaja isn’t the talkative type too often these days. Most of the time I am greeted, left alone in a room to taste, and then greeted again before I leave. On this day, though, Gaja started talking about vintages, and in particular the misconception that wines from hot years don’t age. Gaja cited 1961, a warm year in Piedmont, and one of the most legendary at the time. The wines aged just fine, added Gaja. What struck me most, though, was how clear Gaja’s recollection was of events that transpired fifty years ago. I know only one other person in Piedmont who has a similarly sharp memory that goes that far back. What does that have to do with these 2001s? Not much, except that it seemed like an interesting anecdote to share. Importer: Terlato Wines International, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604 8900
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2001 Barbaresco is a wine of tremendous harmony that has come together beautifully since I last tasted it six months ago. It presents a very pretty nose of crushed raspberries, spices, and minerals followed by complex dark cherry, tar, menthol and mineral flavors on a delicate, medium-bodied frame of great length. Objectively speaking the single-vineyard wines may be more rich and structured, but it is the Barbaresco this year that really speaks to the soul. If I could only have one wine from this estate in 2001, it would undoubtedly be the terrific Barbaresco. Highly recommended. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2021. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2001 Barbaresco is gorgeous. Sweet balsamic notes open on the bouquet, followed intense, silky layers of fruit. The 2001 is subtle, classy and elegant from start to finish. Hints of early maturity appear in the aromatics, but the wine has more than enough fruit to support at least another decade of fine drinking. Tobacco, sweet herbs and licorice add the final notes of complexity.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2001 Barbaresco is a wine of tremendous harmony that has come together beautifully since I last tasted it six months ago. It presents a very pretty nose of crushed raspberries, spices, and minerals followed by complex dark cherry, tar, menthol and mineral flavors on a delicate, medium-bodied frame of great length. Objectively speaking the single-vineyard wines may be more rich and structured, but it is the Barbaresco this year that really speaks to the soul. If I could only have one wine from this estate in 2001, it would undoubtedly be the terrific Barbaresco. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Good deep red. Complex, ineffable nose combines red fruits, marzipan, tobacco and minerals. Pure, firm and sharply delineated; boasts superb richness of flavor without any undue weight. The wine's solid acid spine contributes to its impression of structure. Finishes gripping and very long.
About the Producer
Located in the Barbaresco region of Piedmont, Italy, Gaja was founded in 1859 by Giovanni Gaja and is still owned by the Gaja family. For generations, the Gaja family has worked tirelessly to achieve the five-star rating in the 2013 Vini d'Italia. In 1961, Angelo Gaja, Giovanni's son, gradually took over the winery's affairs from his father. Angelo studied winemaking at university and obtained a doctorate in economics. Since taking charge of the estate, Angelo has travelled extensively to France (particularly the great Burgundy estates) and has been inspired to make bold changes to the estate. Not only did he emphasise Green Harvest and yield control in the management of the vineyards to achieve high quality wines, but he also pioneered the introduction of Bordeaux grape varieties and advanced winemaking equipment such as temperature-controlled fermenters and French oak barrels, as well as the creative introduction of single-vineyard wines, and is therefore considered to be a pioneer of the modern Italian style of wine, and has made an indelible contribution to the international reputation of Piedmont and indeed Italy. He is also regarded as a pioneer of modern Italian wines and has made an indelible contribution to the international reputation of Piedmont and Italy. The winery has a number of vineyards, including three of the better known single vineyards in Barbaresco - Sori San Lorenzo, Sori Tildin and Costa Russi - where the most popular Piedmontese grape variety, Nebbiolo, is grown. Nebbiolo, the most popular red grape variety in Piedmont. Sori San Lorenzo is a vineyard bought from the parish of Alba and named after the patron saint of the Alba Cathedral, while Russi is the nickname of the former owner. The vineyards were expanded and in 1988 the winery acquired Marenca & Rivette in the Barolo appellation and began producing Barolo wines; in 1994 it acquired Pieve Santa Restituta in the Montalcino appellation of Tuscany; and in 1996 it acquired the Pieve Santa Restituta in the Tuscany appellation. In 2000, Angelo Gaja broke with tradition by blending a small portion of Barbera with Nebbiolo to make Barbaresco, a controversial move at the time. 2016 On 1 July, Gaia Gaja, the eldest daughter of Angelo, announced to the public that the three single vineyards of the Gaja estate - Surrey San Lorenzo, Surrey Tintin and Ross Coast - would be used as specific appellations for the Gaja Barbaresco wines, which must The Barbaresco wines will be made from 100% Nebbiolo. This initiative ushers in a new era for Château Gaja. The wines produced by Château Gaja are of different styles and of outstanding quality. The Gaja Barbaresco DOCG (Piedmont, Italy) is the best of the Barbaresco wines and has developed into one of Italy's famous "Four Jasons". In addition, Gaja has produced three single-vineyard Barbaresco wines using grapes from the Surrey San Lorenzo, Surrey Tintin and Costa Rossa vineyards, which have also received high marks from many renowned wine critics. The Gaja Sori San Lorenzo Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont, Italy, the first single-vineyard wine to be released, is the most powerful of the estate's single-vineyard wines, receiving full marks for the 2013 vintage from James Suckling. The 2013 vintage received a perfect score from James Suckling.
