Barbaresco DOP — 2019
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Introduction
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Barbaresco is one of the greatest Italian wines, produced by each generation of the Gaja family.
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Vineyard Profile
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14 vineyards situated in the municipality of Barbaresco. The land, at a height between 250 and 330m above the sea level, covers a surface of 21.4 hectares. The plants are 40 years old on average.
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Vintage Report
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Scarce snowfalls in general in the winter months, the start to the season was marked by a dry spell. The months of January and February were dry with average and relatively low temperatures, these optimal conditions helped to protect against the onset of diseases. Abundant rainfall (200 mm) with average-low temperatures (15-17°C) turned out in April and May. At the end of June, the temperatures rose sharply (from 26 degrees to 41.5°C for about 3 days) and caused stress to the plants with signs of browning appearing on the leaves. From mid-July onwards, the first significant rains set in with 200 mm falling at Barbaresco. Temperatures settled at around 26-30° degrees for the rest of the summer. More rain fell resulting in a total of 800 mm from the beginning of the year to the end of August. The soil with a high water content plus warmth allowed the phenolic ripening to progress.
We started the harvest in Barbaresco at the same time as the harvest in Barolo, but the harvest lasted longer in Barbaresco (rainier and cooler) with a slightly higher yield. The Nebbiolo harvest started at the beginning of October and finished on October 20.
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Vinification
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The grapes, coming from each single vineyard, separately undergo fermentation, maceration and ageing in oak for 12 months. Then they are blended and further age in oak for another 12 months.
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Nebbiolo
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Tasting Notes
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2019 Barbaresco has glaring vivid colors thanks to a good presence of anthocyanins. It immediately brings out notes of rose and wild strawberries followed by lighter notes of marzipan, wild fennel and a hint of juniper. Tasting saline, the wine has good length and a perception of crisp red fruits balanced by bright acidity. Together with the freshness and a tense structure, they define the main characteristics of the 2019 vintage.
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Images
Reviews
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Barbaresco DOP — 2019 – Wine Spectator – 95 Points
“A complex red, this reveals multidimensional aromas and flavors of rose, cherry, licorice, mineral and spices. This is fused to a vibrant structure that, for now, gives a taut, almost racy profile. Marrying power and grace, this ends in a long, floral- and spice-tinged aftertaste.”
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Barbaresco DOP — 2019 – Wine Advocate – 95+ Points
“The 2019 Barbaresco is striking and beautiful, with enormous depth and clarity. This is a generous wine with ample structure, lots of vibrant acidity, sweet tannins and a bright core of primary fruit.”
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Barbaresco DOP — 2019 – Vinous – 93+ Points
"Gaja's 2019 Barbaresco is gorgeous. Bright and nervy, with fabulous balance, the 2019 captures all the best this tricky vintage had to offer. [The 2019] sizzles with tension. The aromatics alone are captivating. Bright acids lend vibrancy to a core of beautifully delineated Nebbiolo fruit. I can't wait to see how this ages."