Gaja Barolo Conteisa DOP 2019

Description

Gaja Barolo Conteisa is made from 100% Nebbiolo from the Conteisa single vineyard which is located in the famous Cerequio Cru of Barolo. It is bottled as a Barolo Denominazione Origine Protetta (DOP for short).  The wine was first released in 1996. It is a softer wine than the Sperss.

Gaja is simply one of the most famous Italian wine producers. The business was founded in 1859 in Langhe, Piedmont by Giovanni Gaja and it is his great grandson, Angelo Gaja, who currently runs the company. They are most famous for classic Piedmont wines such as this Barolo and their fantastic Barbaresco. Indeed, Angelo has often been referred to as the “King of Barbaresco” and has been responsible for developing techniques that have revolutionised winemaking in Italy. As well as their estate and vineyards in Piedmont Gaja also have two estates in Tuscany, Pieve Santa Restituta and  Ca’Marcanda. Whereas the concentration in Piedmont and at Pieve Santa Restituta is on more traditional wines, the focus at Ca’Marcanda is on international grape varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot) and “Super-Tuscan” style blends like the Promis and Magari.  They also produce another Barolo called Dagromis.

The Nebbiolo grapes for the Gaja Barolo Conteisa come from 6 hectares of vines in the Cerequio Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva (or MGA). The MGA is a specific area officially defined within the production zone of Barolo DOCG – equivalent to a Cru or Climat in French terms. It was included among the top Crus classified by Renato Ratti in the celebrated Mappa del Barolo, published in 1965, which forms the basis for today’s Cru classification. The vineyards of Cerequio  are located between the municipal districts of La Morra and Barolo itself. The vineyards form an naturally-shaped amphitheatre where the soils, exposure and microclimate come together to create exceptional Barolos.

The Conteisa vineyard consists of clay-calcareous marls with a considerable presence of sand. Covering a surface of 6 hectares with an average altitude of 380 m above sea level. The vines are 65 years old on average. The wine undergoes fermentation and maceration for around three weeks followed by ageing in oak for 24 months. 100% Nebbiolo.

From Gaja, “The Barolo wines from the 2019 vintage are classic and austere while young with firm tannins and high acidity and possess excellent aging potential.”