Gaja Costa Russi Langhe-Barbaresco 2000

Gaja Costa Russi Langhe-Barbaresco 2000

Gaja Costa Russi Langhe-Barbaresco 2000 is one of the great single vineyard wines from Angelo Gaja, the house that has revolutionised Barbaresco Nebbiolo since 1859. The grapes come exclusively from the Costa Russi vineyard in Barbaresco, a south-west facing slope with clay-limestone soils at an altitude of around 230 metres, a terroir that produces wines of enormous finesse and depth. The year 2000 was hot and very sunny in Piedmont, resulting in a particularly rich, dense and powerful Costa Russi, with a high concentration of dark fruit and silky tannins.

Vinification: The vineyard is managed with low yields and manual harvesting. The wine is 100% Nebbiolo and ages for about 24 months in oak: first in French barriques, then in large Slavonian oak botti, a combination that refines the texture without the wood overpowering the character of the terroir.

Tasting notes: Deep ruby colour with garnet hues. The aroma is intense and very precise, with rose petals, ripe cherry and raspberry, hints of fine spices and a subtle echo of damp earth. On the palate, it is full-bodied but incredibly refined: ultra-compact tannins, an almost creamy texture and a core of red and black fruit that extends into a long, persistent and elegant finish, one that “grows” on the palate with each sip.

Grape varieties: 100% Nebbiolo