2012 Gaja, Barbaresco 1x750ml

Robert Parker 91

The 2012 Barbaresco shows different DNA from its previous incarnations. Angelo Gaja usually blends fruit from 14 vineyard sites to make this wine. Starting with this vintage, he has opted to reduce that number to eight vineyards instead. The change is subtle, but you can taste it. At this young stage in the wine’s life I was unsure of the results. This Barbaresco is more austere, thorny and nervous compared to the super supple and rich vintages of the immediate past. The nose shows dark fruit follow by cola, garden herb and white pepper. The mouthfeel is silky and firm and edgy. [Monica Larner, 24/05/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032

Vinous 91

The 2012 Barbaresco is lifted, precise and gracious in style. Sweet red cherry, cranberry, wild flowers and mint are all laced together in a delicate, understated Barbaresco that will drink well early. The 2012 is supremely classy and polished, but it is also unusually accessible for a young Gaja wine. In 2012, Gaja did not bottle their three single-vineyard wines from Barbaresco. Instead, all of the fruit went into the estate’s Barbaresco bottling. [Antonio Galloni, 12/01/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027