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VINTAGES " (Eric) Broege, also an artist, quickly developed an ability to sniff out unusual wines that best represent the places where the grapes grow." "There's Eric Broege, who with his store VINTAGES, near Boston, is considered one of the most influential ambassadors of fine Italian wines."
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VINTAGES HEADLINES: *Announcing the 1996 & 1997 Barbarescos of ANGELO GAJA This perception took a decided turn when Eric Broege visited the GAJA estate in April 2007 for a private tasting. There, he had the rare opportunity to taste a selection of current and older vintages of GAJA Barbaresco. Seated in the vaunted winery in the town of Barbaresco with a line of glasses democratically arranged, it was the perfect occasion to focus on the wines themselves. The tasting proceeded from the 2001 and 1998 Barbarescos to a 1982 and then, a 1964 vintage! Of course, all four wines were absolutely stunning. The 1982 and 1964 were truly profound and perfectly evolved wines that were still very fresh, balanced, and elegant, with multi-layered complexity. The 1982 had firm, fine, powdery tannins; the 1964 had very silky tannins. Both expressed notable limestone and mineral elements, along with porcini, truffle, leather, and dried cherries --all of the classic aromas that are achieved only with long aging of nebbiolo. Truly a most memorable wine adventure-- and the impetus for Eric to obtain a quantity of these rare, opulent, and legendary wines.
ABOUT the 1996 & 1997 vintages in Piedmont
In contrast, 1997 was unusually warm, really without precedent in this region. The wines offer high levels of glycerin, sweetness of fruit, and over the top ripeness as well as richness. They are simply rich, delicious wines for those who enjoy a more full-blown style that still offers the characteristic aromas and flavors of Barbaresco. ANGELO GAJA, Piedmont legend A genius for sure, Angelo Gaja can not be faulted for what he puts in the bottle. This work of art is worth every cent it will fetch. –Robert Parker
Wines available now:
1997 ANGELO GAJA Barbaresco $412.50 ($350.62 each for six-pack) Opulent style. “Gaja's 1997 Barbaresco is undoubtedly the finest he has yet made. An exquisite effort, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color in addition to an extraordinary nose of black cherry liqueur, smoke, licorice, mineral, and floral aromas. The wine is full-bodied, opulent, and loaded with fruit. Despite its precocious nature, there is abundant tannin. It should age effortlessly for 25 years. Drink 2004 – 2026. 94 pts.” –-Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate Wines available through special order: 1996 ANGELO GAJA Barbaresco “Sori Tilden” $772.50 ($656.62 for six-pack) “The 1996 Barbaresco Sori Tilden represents the essence 1997 ANGELO GAJA Barbaresco “Sori Tilden” $900 ($765 ea for six-pack) “The awesome 1997 Sori Tilden is a candidate for perfection. The saturated purple color is followed by a dense, full-bodied wine possessing 1996 ANGELO GAJA Barbaresco “Sori San Lorenzo” $772.50 (656.62 for six-pack) “The dense opaque purple-colored 1996 Sori San Lorenzo possesses complex aromatics, consisting of classic Nebbiolo scents of rose petals, dried herbs, spice box, cedar, and abundant jammy black cherry and berry fruit. It is impressively powerful and muscular, with moderate tannin, a sweet, unctuous texture, and a 40+ second finish. 1996 is a spectacular vintage for Angelo Gaja. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025 96 pts.” -- Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate * * * * * THANKS to all our customers for your continued and enthusiastic support. Cheers & Saluté! Eric, Carolyn & Celine |
1996 is a classic vintage for Piedmont and Barbaresco. Concentrated, long-lived, majestic wines that are firm in their youth, but blossom beautifully with aging are the rule when it comes to 1996 Barbaresco and Barolo. 1996 is for nebbiolo and Piedmont aficionados. 
Angelo Gaja is a fourth-generation Piedmontese winemaker recognized for bringing Barbaresco into prominence on the world wine stage. Internationally acknowledged as one of Italy's and the world's greatest winemakers, Angelo Gaja is known for producing elegant, opulent wines that are true to their origins. He was among the first to vinify and promote single vineyard Barbaresco crus, beginning with Sorì San Lorenzo in 1967. His single vineyard Barbarescos are now virtually unrivaled in their intensity and have achieved legendary status in the wine world. His inventive vineyard and cellar practices consistently break new ground, often putting him in the center of controversy among the local cognoscenti and critics. Born in Alba in 1940, Angelo attended the Enological Institute of Alba, from which he graduated in 1960 with a degree in enology. Angelo and his wife Lucia live in Barbaresco with their son and two daughters. 
of its terroir and the Nebbiolo grape. From its nuanced smoky, mineral, black cherry, cedar, spice box aromas, to its full-bodied, hugely extracted palate with no hard edges, this is a dense, superbly delineated, multi-dimensional Barbaresco that should prove to be one of the greatest Gaja has ever produced. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2030. 96 pts.” -- Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 
extraordinary vibrancy for such a heavyweight, muscular Nebbiolo. It offers a super-sweet entry, a boatload of glycerin, and notes of earth, licorice, cedar, blackberry and cherry liqueur, and a touch of blueberries. Extremely full, gorgeously pure, with a seamless texture, this spectacular 1997 will enjoy three decades of cellaring. A genius for sure, Angelo Gaja can not be faulted for what he puts in the bottle. This work of art is worth every cent it will fetch. 99 pts.” --Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate