Darmagi Langhe DOP — 2021
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Introduction
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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!).
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Vineyard Profile
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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.
- Vineyards: Barbaresco
- Appellation: Langhe D.O.P.
- Location: Piedmont
- First Year of Production: 1982
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Vintage Report
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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.
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Vinification
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Fermentation and maceration, followed by ageing in oak for 24 months.
- Barrel Aging: Aged in oak for 24 months
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon
- Alcohol: 14.5%
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Tasting Notes
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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.
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Images
Reviews
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Darmagi Langhe DOP — 2021 – Vinous – 94 Points
"The 2021 Darmagi is seriously beautiful. The 2021 is substantial from start to finish, dark, somber and deep. Dark-toned fruit, gravel, incense, licorice and espresso saturate the palate. At this stage, the Darmagi is dominated by its intense fruit, while more varietal notes linger in the background."
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Darmagi Langhe DOP — 2021 – James Suckling – 97 Points
"The pureness of the cabernet sauvignon character is fantastic, with blackcurrants, iodine, gunpowder and some violets. It’s medium-bodied with fresh, ultra-fine tannins that melt into the wine. Such grace and beauty."