2011 Gaja Barbaresco

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Description

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Gaja Winery

Founded in 1859 in Barbaresco, Gaja is considered one of Italy's most influential estates. Its style focuses on precision, terroir expression, and extended aging. In its vineyards, it increasingly adheres to sustainable and biodynamic principles, focusing on healthy soils and balanced growth. In its cellars, Gaja combines traditional Piedmontese methods with modern insights, aiming for purity, structure, and consistency over time.

More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Region, climate and location

This Barbaresco comes from the Langhe region of Piedmont, where the vineyards are located around the villages of Barbaresco and Treiso. The region is characterized by a hilly landscape with wide variations in exposure and altitude. The 2011 vintage experienced a warm growing season, resulting in wines that are accessible early yet retain sufficient freshness and balance. These conditions fostered ripe fruit and aromatic expression without excessive heaviness.

Barbaresco within the domain

The Barbaresco de Gaja is a blend of grapes from various vineyards within the appellation. This wine reflects the terroir and vintage clearly, without the extreme concentration of single-vineyard bottlings. In 2011, this resulted in an elegant and open style, with a clear focus on aroma, finesse, and drinkability.

Vineyards

The grapes come from multiple plots with chalky soils and clay, which provides structure and aromatic complexity. By using different locations, a balance can be achieved between ripeness, freshness, and tannin structure. This makes the Barbaresco a harmonious and consistent expression of the estate.

Grape varieties and composition

The wine is made entirely from Nebbiolo. Selection focuses on grapes with ripe tannins and sufficient acidity, appropriate for the appellation's style. In 2011, the emphasis is on softness and aromatic clarity, while retaining structure for further development.

Harvest

The harvest took place in a warm year, allowing the grapes to reach good phenolic ripeness. Careful timing preserved the acidity and prevented overripeness. This resulted in grapes with ripe fruit and refined tannins.

Vinification

Vinification was carried out with a focus on gentle extraction, in keeping with the vintage's character. Fermentation and maceration were aimed at preserving aromatic expression and developing a supple structure. This approach aligns with the house's philosophy of prioritizing terroir and vintage.

Maturation

The wine was aged in a combination of large wooden barrels and smaller barrels, tailored to balance and integration. This aging supports the structure and refines the tannins without overpowering the fruit. The result is a wine that is both accessible and aging well.

Color, smell and taste

The color is bright ruby red. The aroma reveals notes of crushed flowers, red fruit, tobacco, and sweet spices. On the palate, the wine is smooth and silky, with a medium body and elegant structure. Flavors of cherry, red berry fruit, and floral accents create a refined and open style, with ample freshness and length.

Development and drinking window

This Barbaresco is already quite approachable, yet possesses sufficient structure to develop further. As the wine ages, its complexity will increase, and tertiary notes will further unfold. The drinking window is from approximately 2017 to 2035.

Summary of professional reviews

Antonio Galloni awarded the 2011 Barbaresco 94 points, praising its open aromas, silky structure, and floral complexity, with an accessible yet refined style. Monica Larner, on behalf of The Wine Advocate, awarded 93 points, highlighting its finesse, focus, and remarkable vibrancy, despite the warm character of the vintage. Both reviewers consider this wine a balanced and expressive Barbaresco with a wide drinking window.

The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

Wine and food pairings

  • Roasted guinea fowl with thyme and citrus peel, complementing the floral notes and freshness of the wine.
  • Veal entrecote with a light mushroom sauce, matching the supple tannins and elegant structure.
  • Risotto with fennel and Parmesan, which enhances the aromatic clarity and tension.
  • Braised rabbit with rosemary and carrot, which complements the medium weight of the wine nicely.
  • Grilled beetroot with lentils and soft herbs, respecting the earthy and floral elements.

Specifications

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Type of Wine Red
Country Italy
Region Piemonte
Appellation Barbaresco
Icons Icon Italy
Winery Gaja
Grape Nebbiolo
Biological certified No
Natural wine No
Vegan No
Vintage 2011
Drinking as of 2017
Drinking till 2035
Alcohol % 14
Alcohol free/low No
Content 0.75 ltr
Oak aging Yes
Sparkling No
Dessert wine No
Closure Cork
Parker rating 93
Vinous rating 94

Professional Reviews

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Parker

93

Vinous

94

Wijnhuis

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The history of winery Gaja starts in 1859, the year in which Giovanni Gaja, a local grape grower in Barbaresco, Piemonte, founded a wine company under his own name. A generation later, it is Angelo, grandfather of the current owner, who continues to make wine with the same determination as his father. He is supported in this by Clotilde Rey with whom he marries in 1905. They teach their scion Giovanni named after his grandfather so that as a winemaker you should not make any concessions; nothing should be at the expense of the quality of the wine.

In 1961 Giovannis son Angelo works in the family business. After graduating as an economist from the University of Turin and graduating from the School of Viticulture & Oenology in Alba, the young Angelo left abroad for an internship at wine farms in Bordeaux, Burgundy, along the Rin and in California. Full of fresh ideas, he had now returned to his native Piemonte. When Angelo Gaja took over his parents' company in 1970, he asked his old classmate and winemaker Guido Rivella to assist him. Together they implement a number of revolutionary changes for the region. For example, they sometimes reduce yields per hectare by up to half the number of liters allowed, they experiment with vinification methods, the planting of new - both red and white - grape varieties and pioneering ripening techniques. The results are astonishing and Gaja conquers the world with his beautiful Barbaresco's - the company's flagship.

The nebbiolo grapes for the Barbaresco of Gaja traditionally came from different vineyards. Angelos' father, grandfather and his father did just that before. Although young Angelo would not end this tradition, he launched a new line of Barbaresco's from a single vineyard. Interest in these experimental single vinyard wines became more and more popular. As a proponent of a dynamic, purely quality-oriented wine culture, the brilliant winemaker decides from 1996 to completely break with what he considers to be a conservative and restrictive Italian designation of origin. Only his traditional Barbaresco is still on the market as a prestigious DOCG. He deliberately 'declassifies' all other red single vineyard wines into regional Langhe Nebbiolo DOC. These are the Sorì San Lorenzo, the Sorì Tildìn and the Costa Russi. Gajas Barolo Sperss also underwent the same name change. With the exception of the Dagromis Barolo DOCG, Sito Moresco and Conteisa de Langhe also bear DOC. Langhe DOC is also on the label of his white toppers from Piemonte, the Rossj-Bass, Alteni di Brassica and Gaia & Rey. After all, for Gaja the abbreviation does not guarantee good quality of a wine but the name of the producer.

Food

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Attachments

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Description

Gaja Winery

Founded in 1859 in Barbaresco, Gaja is considered one of Italy's most influential estates. Its style focuses on precision, terroir expression, and extended aging. In its vineyards, it increasingly adheres to sustainable and biodynamic principles, focusing on healthy soils and balanced growth. In its cellars, Gaja combines traditional Piedmontese methods with modern insights, aiming for purity, structure, and consistency over time.

More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Region, climate and location

This Barbaresco comes from the Langhe region of Piedmont, where the vineyards are located around the villages of Barbaresco and Treiso. The region is characterized by a hilly landscape with wide variations in exposure and altitude. The 2011 vintage experienced a warm growing season, resulting in wines that are accessible early yet retain sufficient freshness and balance. These conditions fostered ripe fruit and aromatic expression without excessive heaviness.

Barbaresco within the domain

The Barbaresco de Gaja is a blend of grapes from various vineyards within the appellation. This wine reflects the terroir and vintage clearly, without the extreme concentration of single-vineyard bottlings. In 2011, this resulted in an elegant and open style, with a clear focus on aroma, finesse, and drinkability.

Vineyards

The grapes come from multiple plots with chalky soils and clay, which provides structure and aromatic complexity. By using different locations, a balance can be achieved between ripeness, freshness, and tannin structure. This makes the Barbaresco a harmonious and consistent expression of the estate.

Grape varieties and composition

The wine is made entirely from Nebbiolo. Selection focuses on grapes with ripe tannins and sufficient acidity, appropriate for the appellation's style. In 2011, the emphasis is on softness and aromatic clarity, while retaining structure for further development.

Harvest

The harvest took place in a warm year, allowing the grapes to reach good phenolic ripeness. Careful timing preserved the acidity and prevented overripeness. This resulted in grapes with ripe fruit and refined tannins.

Vinification

Vinification was carried out with a focus on gentle extraction, in keeping with the vintage's character. Fermentation and maceration were aimed at preserving aromatic expression and developing a supple structure. This approach aligns with the house's philosophy of prioritizing terroir and vintage.

Maturation

The wine was aged in a combination of large wooden barrels and smaller barrels, tailored to balance and integration. This aging supports the structure and refines the tannins without overpowering the fruit. The result is a wine that is both accessible and aging well.

Color, smell and taste

The color is bright ruby red. The aroma reveals notes of crushed flowers, red fruit, tobacco, and sweet spices. On the palate, the wine is smooth and silky, with a medium body and elegant structure. Flavors of cherry, red berry fruit, and floral accents create a refined and open style, with ample freshness and length.

Development and drinking window

This Barbaresco is already quite approachable, yet possesses sufficient structure to develop further. As the wine ages, its complexity will increase, and tertiary notes will further unfold. The drinking window is from approximately 2017 to 2035.

Summary of professional reviews

Antonio Galloni awarded the 2011 Barbaresco 94 points, praising its open aromas, silky structure, and floral complexity, with an accessible yet refined style. Monica Larner, on behalf of The Wine Advocate, awarded 93 points, highlighting its finesse, focus, and remarkable vibrancy, despite the warm character of the vintage. Both reviewers consider this wine a balanced and expressive Barbaresco with a wide drinking window.

The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

Wine and food pairings

  • Roasted guinea fowl with thyme and citrus peel, complementing the floral notes and freshness of the wine.
  • Veal entrecote with a light mushroom sauce, matching the supple tannins and elegant structure.
  • Risotto with fennel and Parmesan, which enhances the aromatic clarity and tension.
  • Braised rabbit with rosemary and carrot, which complements the medium weight of the wine nicely.
  • Grilled beetroot with lentils and soft herbs, respecting the earthy and floral elements.

Specifications

Type of Wine Red
Country Italy
Region Piemonte
Appellation Barbaresco
Icons Icon Italy
Winery Gaja
Grape Nebbiolo
Biological certified No
Natural wine No
Vegan No
Vintage 2011
Drinking as of 2017
Drinking till 2035
Alcohol % 14
Alcohol free/low No
Content 0.75 ltr
Oak aging Yes
Sparkling No
Dessert wine No
Closure Cork
Parker rating 93
Vinous rating 94

Professional Reviews

Parker

93

Vinous

94

Wijnhuis

The history of winery Gaja starts in 1859, the year in which Giovanni Gaja, a local grape grower in Barbaresco, Piemonte, founded a wine company under his own name. A generation later, it is Angelo, grandfather of the current owner, who continues to make wine with the same determination as his father. He is supported in this by Clotilde Rey with whom he marries in 1905. They teach their scion Giovanni named after his grandfather so that as a winemaker you should not make any concessions; nothing should be at the expense of the quality of the wine.

In 1961 Giovannis son Angelo works in the family business. After graduating as an economist from the University of Turin and graduating from the School of Viticulture & Oenology in Alba, the young Angelo left abroad for an internship at wine farms in Bordeaux, Burgundy, along the Rin and in California. Full of fresh ideas, he had now returned to his native Piemonte. When Angelo Gaja took over his parents' company in 1970, he asked his old classmate and winemaker Guido Rivella to assist him. Together they implement a number of revolutionary changes for the region. For example, they sometimes reduce yields per hectare by up to half the number of liters allowed, they experiment with vinification methods, the planting of new - both red and white - grape varieties and pioneering ripening techniques. The results are astonishing and Gaja conquers the world with his beautiful Barbaresco's - the company's flagship.

The nebbiolo grapes for the Barbaresco of Gaja traditionally came from different vineyards. Angelos' father, grandfather and his father did just that before. Although young Angelo would not end this tradition, he launched a new line of Barbaresco's from a single vineyard. Interest in these experimental single vinyard wines became more and more popular. As a proponent of a dynamic, purely quality-oriented wine culture, the brilliant winemaker decides from 1996 to completely break with what he considers to be a conservative and restrictive Italian designation of origin. Only his traditional Barbaresco is still on the market as a prestigious DOCG. He deliberately 'declassifies' all other red single vineyard wines into regional Langhe Nebbiolo DOC. These are the Sorì San Lorenzo, the Sorì Tildìn and the Costa Russi. Gajas Barolo Sperss also underwent the same name change. With the exception of the Dagromis Barolo DOCG, Sito Moresco and Conteisa de Langhe also bear DOC. Langhe DOC is also on the label of his white toppers from Piemonte, the Rossj-Bass, Alteni di Brassica and Gaia & Rey. After all, for Gaja the abbreviation does not guarantee good quality of a wine but the name of the producer.

Food

🍷

Binnenkort beschikbaar

Voor deze wijn worden binnenkort automatisch passende gerechten toegevoegd. In de tussentijd kunt u onze wijnadvies tool gebruiken.

Ontdek onze Wijnadvies Tool

Trivia

Attachments