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 It was Giovanni Gaja, Angelo’s father, who involuntarily named this wine, because when Angelo planted Cabernet Sauvignon instead of Nebbiolo, his first comment in Piedmontese dialect was Darmagi! (What a pity!).

Planted in 1978 in the heart of Barbaresco village, Darmagi demonstrates the Langhe’s capacity to produce a fine wine from an international variety. Excellent sun exposure with a balance of clay and silt that creates optimal soil drainage.

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 high quality grapes characterized by smaller berries.

Fermentation and maceration, followed by ageing in oak for 24 months.

Sweet cocoa, blackcurrant and blackberries, purple flowers, and sweet licorice. In the mouth it is like biting into a ripe fruit, the sweetness of the fruit is balanced by a longlasting freshness; it is powerful with smooth and subtle tannins.