Gaja   Barbaresco DOCG

2000 Barbaresco DOCG

By Gaja

2000 Barbaresco DOCG by Gaja, Italy

The 2000 Barbaresco DOCG from Gaja is a timeless revelation steeped in the heart of Italian viticulture. Sweetly insistent, it unravels itself layer by fragrant layer in your glass.

 

Unforgettable Allure: A Vintage love letter

The 2000 vintage was unique in that it was a harmonious marriage of abundant rainfall early in the year and a warm, dry summer that nurtured the vines to produce beautifully ripe Nebbiolo grapes obscenely laden with sublime potency.

Lush and ripe, this Barbaresco flaunts splendid notes of black cherries, dried roses, tar and cloves; the epitome of adult sophistication channelled into a heady, sensorial journey.

 

An esteemed artistic expression

Emanating from vineyards with over 40-year-old vines treasured in the Sub Region of Piedmont Italy, Gaja's approach has been astoundingly meticulous. Maximising the potential of the terroir and setting standards high not just for themselves but for Italian wine grammar as a whole.

The maturation spanned 24 months in barriques followed by 12 months in large casks, allowing each nuance of aroma and flavour to be finely honed. The tannins are well integrated, straddling powerfully between firmness and grace in unparalleled elegance.

 

The zenith of Italian fine wines

All elements considered, the 2000 Barbaresco DOCG from Gaja exemplifies the very zenith of fine wines from Italy revered worldwide. Its sublime flavours sketch a narrative threaded through time; whilst offering ample complexity and longevity potential appealing to wine investment portfolios worldwide.. The Gaja house has, indeed, delivered a profound expression of Barbaresco.

The 2000 Barbaresco DOCG retains a vivid and evocative rendition of the Nebbiolo grape; reminding us once more why Gaja continues to reign in the world of fine wines and why it deserves a prominent place in your valuable wine investment collection.

Current market price

£1,890.00

12x75cl

Highest score

92

POP score

157.5

Scores and tasting notes

92

The 2000 Barbaresco is beginning to show early tertiary qualities. Smoke, tobacco, cedar and dried cherries are some of the notes that emerge from the glass. Over time the Barbaresco gains a measure of freshness, with pretty floral aromas that weave into the finish. The tannins remain quite firm, and are likely to outlast the fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020. Angelo Gaja’s 2000s are a bit of a mystery. The wines were absolutely beautiful upon release and equally impressive when I tasted them a few years later for the 7th edition of Parker’s Wine Buyers Guide. The 2000s were far less convincing when I tasted them in November 2010. All of the wines were initially very reticent and closed. After an hour or two in the glass they opened for about 30 minutes before closing back down again. Gaja thinks the wines are passing through a stage of inaccessibility. If anyone deserves the benefit of the doubt it is Gaja. I can’t remember the last older wine from this cellar that was a disappointment or that hadn’t aged well, and I have been privileged to taste the vast majority of wines that have been made here under Angelo Gaja’s tenure. Time will ultimately tell where these wines are headed, but this was not an especially flattering showing for Gaja’s 2000s. That said, most producers would be thrilled to have wines like these in their cellars. In some ways, Gaja is a victim of his own success. He sets such a high bar with his finest vintages; it is only natural to expect greatness all the time. The 2000s fall a bit short of that mark but are quite strong in the context of the year.

Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 1 May 2011

Vintage performance