2021 Barbaresco, Gaja, Piedmont, Italy

The aromas of licorice, minerals, light tar and dark berries such as raspberry are so attractive. It’s medium-bodied with a tight and integrated palate of fine tannins that are seamless and unseen. It’s long and lively. It needs two to four years to open up.

Drink 2027+

Their ‘Classico’ version made for generations. From 14 vineyards in the municipality of Barbaresco that total 21.4 ha at elevations of 250 to 330 m. Average vine age is 45 years. Fermented and aged for 12 months in mixed-size oak – on lees if barrique – then blended and aged a further 12 months. Bottled in June 2023, to be released in 2024.

Transparent purplish garnet. Very perfumed. Very tangy and nervy rather than concentrated, but embryonic with a very dry finish.

Drink 2025 - 2033

The 2021 classic Barbaresco from Gaja is drop-dead gorgeous. Made with 14 estate vineyards that are vinified separately before being assembled into the final blend, it’s all about finesse, delivering sensations of juicy raspberry, red cherry, cinnamon, camphor and white pepper before a long, star anise and saline mineral close. Taut, refined tannins and bright acidity provide the age-worthy structure.

Drink 2027 - 2036