Delectable Wine

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9.2

Bright red. Sweet spice, ripe red cherry, licorice and flowers on the nose and in the mouth. Smooth and bright, and though not exactly the last word in concentration or complexity, this is downright irresistible in its juicy, fruity appeal. Podere Brizio recently changed ownership and now belongs to Dievole, the Chianti Classico producer (Podere Brizio’s previous owner, Roberto Bellini, is the man who sold the Chiesa di Santa Restituta estate to Gaja, who renamed it Pieve di Santa Restituta). (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, April 2018) — 7 years ago

Devin Bray

9.4

In the words of my buddy, "smells like a beautiful lady." Herbs and flowers, orange blossom, cherry and plum, a hint of mulling spice, good dusty/gritty mouthfeel, nice phenols giving it some lovely notes on the exhale. Intensely earthy with great Rosewater and well managed oak. This estate is good friends with the adjacent Gaja vineyards, world renowned for their Nebbiolos. — 9 years ago

Napa Valley Wine Academy

9.8

Barbaresco at it noblest expression- long live Nebbiolo — 9 years ago

Peter Mallon

9.2

Elegant, refined Bolgheri Bordeaux blend. Well balanced, lithe, with strong minerality. A sophisticated wine. — 10 years ago

Luke Blanch

9.5

holy ripe cantaloupe! — 10 years ago

with Angie

B

9.5

1996 Soldera Riserva Brunello. Drank at dinner at Il Pistaiao w K, McC, and Judy. Awesome. K loves this wine. To me, it's a bit acidic and tart, but he preferred this to the Gaja, which followed. — 10 years ago

Shaunda Jones

9.8

Really loved this Grappa. Gaia signed it for me at a Mozza wine dinner in 2010. — 12 years ago

Rob Sternthal

9.5

WOTN. Drinking incredibly well. — 8 years ago

with Richard, Daniel and 1 other

Cleo Tobbi

9.0

Delicious, yeasty, salty. Easy to drink. Great effervescence. — 8 years ago

Sarah C

9.5

Spectacular! — 9 years ago

Jerry Raphael

9.1

The grapes for this grappa come from Gaja's vineyards. Very complex, and although, not listed as a Aqua di Vita it was aged in barrels and pale gold in color. — 10 years ago

with Barbara

Ben Heide

9.6

Awesome. Everything it should be. — 10 years ago

LM Segal

9.0

Big, in-your-face Italian answer to New World cab. Gaja Darmaji if it were made in New Jersey? Fuhgettaboutit. Softened with some air but tannins slap you around a bit. — 10 years ago

Ryan Mullins

9.9

Gaja barrel cask strength. Beautiful integration of terroir and wood. Well worth the price tag — 11 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

On the nose, dark sour cherries, dates, burnt figs, grilled meats, burnt ambers, liquid smoke & dark dry florals. The core color is dark with garnet edges. The palate is; slightly sour but mostly sweet dark cherries, stewed plum, cooked strawberries, rhubarb, dates, figs, tomatoes, smoke, grilled meats, brewed coffee, light tarry notes, dry crushed rock powder, volcanic minerals, dark rich earth, dusty tannins, dry dark florals, soft chewy leather, nice round acidity with a decent, soft, elegant finish...50-50 fruit & earth. This is the largest co-op producer in Europe with 50 members. They collectively have 250 acres; which is about 1/6 of the total under vine. Photos of; the town of Barbaresco (their tasting room near the tower), Produttori cellar and their tasting bar. No appointment necessary. Close to Gaja and the town has one of the best one star Michelin lunches as well as the best service we've experienced. Just right of Gaja. Good with our Veal Bolognese. — 8 years ago

Andy Mc Nees

10

I've had a perfect wine a handful of times. 2000 SQN Suey. 62 latour. 97 Gaja from 3L. 97 Shafer Hillside Select. This is at that level. Balance. Creamy. Expressive nose of sweet flowers, stone fruits and juicy raspberry blueberry vanilla, flint and the feeling you can only get from the hug of your mother. A wine at its peak. Embarrassed to enjoy this alone. But I will. — 9 years ago

Clare Gillette

9.2

Bricked out color. Dried cherries, very dark chocolate powder, dried sage and thyme, and Fennel. Beautiful texture. Happy birthday Megan! — 10 years ago

Eric Bloodsworth

9.3

Fresh strawberry, cherry, subtle cinnamon and truffle. Dolcetto and Pinot. — 10 years ago

with Jill

Christian Gourdin

10

"Darmagi" is Piedmontese for "what a pity," a comment Angelo Gaja's father, Giovanni, once uttered when he passed the vineyards as it was planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in 1978. - Ain't no pity here! This fire water is 100% Cab and has delicate floral and spice aromas. A grappa of great complexity, for nights when you want to unwind 😬 #gaja #darmagi #grappa — 10 years ago

Mikkel Nielsen

9.8

My daugther is named after Gaja - love this wine — 12 years ago