Following on from the 2021 Barbaresco release, Gaja have released their three single vineyard Barbarescos in 2021. Each owned exclusively by the Gaja family for over 50 years, they are some of the finest terroirs in Piemonte but they are only released when the conditions are perfect for all three, so, they are either all released together, or all declassified together. No single vineyard Barbarescos were produced by Gaja in 2019 or 2018 but this makes the second release in a row, and possibly one of the most exciting in recent memory. There has been much hype around the quality of the 2021 vintage in Piedmont and with this release of the Gaja Single Vineyard Barbarescos, the scores and accolades reflect this hype. All the wines score consistently in the high 90s regardless of the critic, with Audrey Frick awarding the Sori San Lorenzo the magical 100-point score.
 
Sori San Lorenzo came first in 1964, when it was purchased from the parish of Alba, and so it was named after the local cathedral’s patron saint, San Lorenzo. Costa Russi was purchased in 1967 - the word ‘Costa’ means a slope which faces the sun, and 'Russi' was the nickname of the vineyard's most devout worker. Sori Tildin was also acquired in the same year, with the first release in 1970. ‘Sori’ means ‘hilltop’ in old Piedmontese dialect, and ‘Tildin’ was the nickname of Clotilde Rey, Angelo’s grandmother.
 
Originally planted with a small amount of Barbera in the vineyards, this meant they could not be classified as Barbaresco, but since 2013, all three vineyards are now 100% Nebbiolo.

Following on from what was regarded as a very good 2020 vintage in Barbaresco, the 2021s have the same beautiful elegance and refinement but have more noticeable structure and concentration of fruit, they are actually very approachable now but will age gracefully for decades and will be at their best with careful cellaring for several years at least.
 
The vintage provided a long stable growing season allowing the Nebbiolo grapes to reach full physiological ripeness, there were no heat spikes and the harvest remained largely dry so ideal conditions right through apart from some cold weather resulting in pockets of frost at bud break, this resulted in the Sori San Lorenzo production volumes being down by about 30%.  
 
With the follow-on harvests being much trickier it is definitely a vintage to consider for any collection. There will be a small release of the 2022 Single Vineyards from Gaja but there will be no 2023 vintage release, and Gaja will not make a decision on the 2024 vintage until next year. 
 
Antonio Galloni's report on the new releases is exceptional: 
 
“These new releases from the Gaja family are impressive. Generational succession is the single greatest threat to the long-term survival of family-owned wineries in Italy. Although there have naturally been some bumps in the road, the Gajas have navigated this tricky phase exceptionally well. That takes an older generation that can let go and a younger generation that is capable of taking over, neither of which is by any means a foregone conclusion. Today’s wines are increasingly marked by grace and understatement, along with the strong expression of site that has always been a calling card for the vineyard designate Barbarescos and Barolos. 
The 2021 Barbarescos lead the way this year. Sorì Tildin and Sorì San Lorenzo are especially fine. It was not an easy vintage. Frost and cold weather during flowering lowered yields in some spots. Even so, the wines are pretty special. These days, the Barbarescos and Barolos see 45-60 days on the skins. Aging takes place first in French oak barrels and then cask. (...)” 

Key Facts 

• Heritage You Can Trust: The Gaja family has been producing wines in Piedmont, Italy, for over 350 years, carrying a legacy of five generations of winemaking excellence in the Langhe hills. 

• Established in 1859: Giovanni Gaja founded the Gaja Winery in Barbaresco, a benchmark of premium winemaking since its inception. 

• Uncompromising Quality: From 1905, Angelo Gaja and Clotilde Rey set an unwavering standard for quality—a tradition the family still upholds today. 

• Leadership in Barbaresco: Giovanni Gaja propelled Gaja wines to national acclaim, producing iconic Barbaresco wines and expanding with renowned vineyards like Sorì Tildìn, Costa Russi, and Sorì San Lorenzo. 

• Exclusively Estate-Grown Wines: Gaja wines are made exclusively from family-owned vineyards, ensuring complete control and unparalleled quality in every bottle. 

• Tradition Meets Innovation: Angelo Gaja, who joined the winery in 1961, introduced bold innovations while maintaining deep respect for the Langhe’s winemaking traditions. 

• Environmental responsibility: Each single vineyard is fostered uniquely as an individual universe where different forms of life co-exist and the purpose is to fully understand the interactions of nature to protect, nurture and grow life. 

• Fifth-Generation Dedication: The next generation—Gaia, Rossana, and Giovanni Gaja—continues the family's commitment to crafting world-renowned wines with a relentless focus on quality. 

• Costa Russi: Costa = Hillside and Russi = the nickname of the old farmer who worked this vineyard. A 4.35ha single vineyard, 230m above sea level, predominantly compacted clay, cooler climate at the foot of the vineyard. Typically fresh, floral, herbaceous, and with a lifted fruitiness.  

• Sorí Tildín: Named in honour of Angelo’s grandmother, whose nickname was Tildin. A 3.8ha vineyard, 260m above sea level, with more sand presence and rich in magnesium. This is the warmest of the three single vineyards and is often dark fruited and voluptuous. 

• Sorí San Lorenzo: Sori refers to the south facing hillside, and San Lorenzo is the saint said to protect the cathedral in Alba. This is a 3.38ha vineyard with clay-calcareous marls with predominantly limestone soil, 250m above sea level. This wine is typically powerful, earthy, and deep. 

N.B. This wine is not currently in stock but can be ordered, usually for delivery within a few weeks -  please email info@cellarselect.co.uk for availability and lead time, or it will be confirmed after an order is placed.