Angelo Gaja makes the most exciting wines in Italy. He has few equals in terms of his sheer determination and dedication to great winemaking. Years ago, Gaja transcended traditional, rustic Italian winemaking by making modern wines that appealed to sophisticated consumers around the world. Yet he preserved his wines’ unique Italian character.
95 Points Antonio Galloni
Gaja’s 1999 Barbaresco is quite pretty. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries, licorice and dried herbs are some of the many nuances that are woven together in the glass. Soft, silky and impeccably perfumed, the 1999 impresses for its balance, poise and overall sense of harmony. The sensual feminity of Barbaresco comes through very nicely. Based on previous tastings, the magnum format has helped preserve a gorgeous sense of freshness, with only the faintest signs of tertiary notes present today. Hints of tobacco, earthiness and smoke add the final nuances of complexity. This is a fabulous showing for the Barbaresco.