Barolo Conteisa Gaja 2015

Barolo 'Conteisa' from the celebrated Langa winery Gaja is an expression of magnificent elegance and complexity at the qualitative pinnacle of the appellation. The grapes that give rise to this label come from MGA Cerequio, a vineyard that Angelo Gaja chose to pay homage to by recalling the long-standing and ancient dispute between the communes of La Morra and Barolo to claim ownership of the hills where the cru is located. In fact, in the Piedmontese dialect, "conteisa" means "dispute." Today Cerequio falls within the municipality of La Morra, of which it is one of the most prestigious plots, nicknamed "Riviera delle Langhe" by local farmers because it is one of the first vineyards where the winter snows melt.

Gaja Barolo 'Conteisa' is derived from only Nebbiolo grapes from the Cerequio vineyard, where the soil is characterized by the presence of fossilized, mostly sandy Sant'Agata blue marls. Exposure is full south while the altitude is about 350 meters above sea level. Manual harvesting is followed by the mashing of the grapes in stainless steel tanks for alcoholic fermentation, accompanied by a few weeks of contact between the must and the skins. The ensuing ageing phase takes place between barrique and large casks for a total of about 30 months, and the wine is finally bottled and undergoes a further long period of rest in the glass before release.

Gaja's Barolo 'Conteisa' shows a transparent ruby red colour with garnet highlights. Broad, intense and very complex is the olfactory mosaic, composed of aromas of ripe red fruit, plum, blackberry, violet, liquorice, underbrush and various spices. The palate shows a robust and important structure, great body and character, with a well-smoothed tannic texture that anticipates the very long spicy finish.