Gaja Barbaresco Sori Tildin 2005
Tax included.
Winery: Gaja
Vintage: 2005
Grape: Nebbiolo
Drinking window: 2020 - 2045
Region: Piedmont
Production: 9600 bottles
THE ITALIAN GRAPE (96)
This wine has for been for me the most authentic Gaja wine I have had so far, the 2005 Sori Tildin really shows why the name Gaja is a statement in the region. It shows classic Nebbiolo characteristics of bright cherries and tar, with a hint of oak, though initially a bit restrained on the palate. However, with time in the glass, it unfolds beautifully. While still youthful, it has entered its early drinking phase and promises to evolve gracefully over the next few decades. Aerating the wine before consumption is recommended. Really enjoyable now!
ROBERT PARKER (95)
The 2005 Sori Tildin appears to be incredibly primary and youthful. Floral aromatics meld seamlessly into freshly cut roses, raspberries, licorice, tar and menthol. This graceful, feminine wine reveals tons of elegance and finesse in an understated style. Today the Sori Tildin shows a touch more oak than the other single-vineyard wines, which suggests it may not quite have the stuffing of the very finest vintages. Still, this remains a vibrant and very Piedmontese wine in need of only one thing, and that is a long slumber in the cellar.
WINE SPECTATOR (96)
The purity of fruit in this young Nebbiolo is impressive, with a cedar, fresh mushroom and forest undertone. Full-bodied, with masses of fruit as well as toasty oak and milk chocolate. This is a wine that gives you lots at the finish.
About the wine
Angelo Gaja is a central figure in establishing Italian viticulture internationally, recognized alongside Marchese Antinori as one of Italy's most renowned wine personalities. A highly awarded winemaker, Gaja revolutionized the conservative Piedmont wine industry with innovative economic and oenological methods while maintaining traditional values. His family business, headquartered in Barbaresco, began its success with Barbaresco production in the Langhe region and has since expanded into Tuscany.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Gaja introduced modern cellar technologies and iconic wines like Barolo, Barbaresco and Supertuscans. He notably downgraded most DOCG Barbaresco and Barolo wines to DOC in 1996 for blending flexibility but reaffirmed commitment to DOCG Barbaresco since 2013. Gaja's vision and openness have cemented his status as the "King of Barbaresco." His philosophy, encapsulated in the quote, "I believe that old age starts when the regrets are more than the dreams," exemplifies his belief in lifelong learning and dreaming, serving as an inspiration to many.
The 2005 vintage produced balanced and elegant reds, offering fruit and ripe tannins for those who managed their vineyards well. The Gaja Sori Tildin 2005 reveals floral aromatics that transition to bright spiced red fruits, menthol, and licorice as the Barbaresco opens in the glass. This wine is firmly structured and classically elegant. The substantial tannins are seamlessly integrated into its mid-weight frame. Another exquisite Barbaresco from Angelo Gaja, it demands patience as it is currently tightly wound.
