1999 Gaja, Costa Russi, Barbaresco DOCG 6x75cl

Vinous 94

Smoke, tar, roses, incense are some of the nuances that emerge as the1999 Costa Russi unfurls in the glass. A blast of dark black fruit follows as this muscular wine opens up in the glass. Costa Russi is often a much softer wine, but in 2009 it is decidedly brooding and intense. Here, too, the aromas and flavors are still quite primary. Darker notes of smoke, scorched earth, French oak and tar are layered into the finish. I imagine the barrels might had higher toast in the late 1990s than they do today. There is so much to like here. [Antonio Galloni, 08/01/2014]

Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021

Robert Parker 93

1999 Langhe Costa Russia Dark ruby. The 1999 Costa Russi is a soft, supple effort for the vintage, with a deeply nuanced nose and a rich core of sweet dark fruit buffered by prominent minerality on the seamless, long palate. Although not especially complex, this Costa Russi exhibits an elegance and finesse in its understated expression, and it is undoubtedly a highly enjoyable wine. True to type, it is also the most accessible of the single-vineyard wines from Barbaresco. It should age gracefully until at least age 20. 93/drink after 2009, 03/06 As always, the house style is very much present in the wines. Beginning in 1996 the Langhe wines contain a small amount of Barbera (between 5-8%) which Gaja says is added to give the wines additional acidity. Vinification remains fairly traditional by today’s standards. Fermentation and maceration last about three weeks. For the Barbaresco the fermentation takes place at a temperature of roughly 82?F (28?C). Gaja uses a slightly different approach for his ‘crus’ Sori San Lorenzo, Sori Tildin, Costa Russi, Conteisa, and Sperss, for which the temperature during fermentation is lowered to 64?F (18?C) after the first week. All of the wines undergo malolactic fermentation in barrique. The wines then age one year in barrique and a second year in cask. For his Darmagi Gaja employs a shorter fermentation lasting 10-15 days. The wine sees 6-8 months in barrique followed by one year in large oak casks. (US Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL) [Antonio Galloni, 01/05/2006]

Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019