WINERY Located in Piedmont in northwestern Italy, the GAJA winery is widely considered to be one of the greatest estates in the world, producing coveted and collectible labels.

WINE The word Costa indicates the side of a hill, while Russi was the nickname of the old sharecropper who worked in the vineyard.

The Costa Russi vineyard is situated in the municipality of Barbaresco, at the foot of a hill where, a little above, there is Sorì Tildìn. The land, facing southwest, consists of clayeycalcareous marls and covers a surface of 4.35 hectares, with an average altitude of 230 m above sea level.

In 2021, the grape harvest yielded thin-skinned grapes that were rich in aroma and color, resulting in structured wines with significant volume, richness, and sweet tannins. Abundant snowfall and low temperatures led to an unusually severe, rainy winter, followed by a dry spring. Temperatures rose in mid-March but dropped again in early April with icy winds. Some lower-altitude vineyards were affected by frost, recording losses between 30% and 5%. The summer had hot, dry days alternating with short, frequent gusts of wind that lowered temperatures. Powdery mildew became a real threat in Barbaresco in July, requiring a lot of attention from our team. After a generally dry season, a redeeming rainfall came at the end of August, refreshing the Barbaresco region. Nebbiolo ripened slowly, helped by rainfall on September 17, along with a drop in temperatures and dense fog. The harvest began in Barbaresco on September 21. This relatively dry and cold vintage led to a late harvest and resulted in highquality grapes characterized by smaller berries.

Fermentation, maceration and aging in oak for 24 months.

Sweet and floral on the nose, with hints of red fruit, violet, black cherry, and a salty touch that continues on the palate. In the mouth, it is juicy and delicate, with moderate volume. Of the three single vineyard Barbarescos, it is the most floral and delicate, with a citrus note on the finish.