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SKU 905736
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The 2020 Gaja Gaia and Rey is a really beautiful example of Chardonnay from the Langhe. The wine is named after Angelo Gaja’s eldest daughter Gaia and her grandmother Clothilde Rey. I love the complexity of the nose with its gun flint, struck match, Burgundy-like notes followed by ripe, white peach, a subtle hint of honey, and complex, creamy lees. It has a delightful texture and is sublimely silky and elegant as it flows across the palate with a slight twist of bitter lemon peel and dried orange on the finish. It is an elegant and beautifully crafted wine that would give many Burgundies a run for their money.
Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one that has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is Chardonnay. This green-skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity, which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.
Country
Italy
There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.
Region
Piedmont
Situated in the north-western part of Italy, the region of Piedmont is known worldwide and is highly respected for the quality of the wines produced there. Many of the most successful sub-regions in Piedmont produce many of the world's finest red wines, such as those made from the excellent Nebbiolo grape varietal in areas such as Barolo and Barbaresco. However, the historic wineries which typify this region use a relatively wide variety of grapes, including Dolcetto and Barbera for their red wines, which are typically aged and have a delightful velvety character. Piedmont isn't all about beautifully complex red wines, though, as it is also famed for high quality, elegant sparkling wines, notably the Asti wines made with the white Moscato grape. The region benefits from a range of terroirs which are often well expressed in the sparkling wines, and a wonderfully consistent climate ideal for vineyard cultivation.
Appellation
Langhe
Langhe, nestled in the Piedmont region of Italy, is a renowned wine appellation celebrated for its diverse and exceptional wines. Home to iconic wines like Barolo and Barbaresco, Langhe’s unique terroir imparts distinct characteristics to the Nebbiolo grape, the region's shining star. The hilly landscape, coupled with calcareous soils, creates wines known for their finesse, structure, and aging potential. Beyond Nebbiolo, Langhe embraces a variety of grape varieties, including Barbera and Dolcetto, offering a spectrum of flavors and styles. The meticulous craftsmanship and dedication to tradition make Langhe a captivating destination for wine enthusiasts, providing a rich tapestry of Italian winemaking heritage and the expressive beauty of its diverse vineyards.
TWI96pts
The Wine Independent
The 2020 Gaja Gaia and Rey is a really beautiful example of Chardonnay from the Langhe. The wine is named after Angelo Gaja’s eldest daughter Gaia and her grandmother Clothilde Rey. I love the complexity of the nose with its gun flint, struck match, Burgundy-like notes followed by ripe, white peach, a subtle hint of honey, and complex, creamy lees. It has a delightful texture and is sublimely silky and elegant as it flows across the palate with a slight twist of bitter lemon peel and dried orange on the finish. It is an elegant and beautifully crafted wine that would give many Burgundies a run for their money.
WE95pts
Wine Enthusiast
#25 in Top 100 Cellar Selections 2023. A wine that started a movement when it was first released in 1983, “Gaia & Rey” continues to set the standard of Chardonnay in the Langhe. Reserved at first, the wine opens with white floral aromas mixed with ripe orchard fruits that evolve into nutty and chalky mineral notes. The palate is well balanced with vibrant acidity that keeps the wine lively with each sip. Drink now–2035. (Cellar Selection)
DC94pts
Decanter
The delicate 2020 has a toasty aroma with pink grapefruit, then lemon candy and stone fruit flavours. Full, silky and mellow, but with a final zip of freshness.These, the first Chardonnay vines planted in Langhe in 1979 in Treiso (then the estate’s highest-altitude vineyard), produced the fruit for Gaia & Rey, which was first produced in 1983. Fermented and aged in new French oak.
VM93pts
Vinous Media
The 2020 Gaia & Rey (Chardonnay) is a classy, super-elegant wine. Orchard fruit, tangerine oil, white flowers and a touch of spice all run through this silky, polished Chardonnay from Gaja. The 2020 comes across as a bit subdued, but if the past is any indication, it will blossom with a few years in bottle.
