New release: Angelo Gaja’s Barbaresco 2022 – The Wine that Launched the Legend

Angelo Gaja stands as one of the most influential and prestigious figures in the history of Barolo and Barbaresco—perhaps the defining name of modern Piedmont. Since taking over his family estate in the 1960s, he revolutionized winemaking in the Langhe with an insistence on precision, cleanliness, strict vineyard management, and an uncompromising pursuit of quality. His wines became the benchmark for what Nebbiolo could achieve, elevating the global reputation of Barbaresco and helping transform the entire region from a local curiosity into one of the world’s most collectible fine-wine territories. Today, Gaja bottles are among the most sought after in Italy—scarce, fiercely allocated, and prized by collectors who track them with the same intensity reserved for First Growth Bordeaux.

Yet for all the acclaim his single-vineyard crus earned—Sorì Tildìn, Sorì San Lorenzo, Costa Russi—Gaja faced a persistent misconception in the market. As the crus rose to international fame, some consumers began assuming that the estate’s classic Barbaresco DOCG was a “second wine,” made from inferior or leftover grapes once the prestigious crus were assembled. This idea ran counter to both tradition and to Gaja’s own philosophy. Historically, Barbaresco was not a single-vineyard wine but a blend sourced from various parcels, each adding nuance and balance. Gaja believed deeply in this style and never intended his Barbaresco to be overshadowed or misunderstood.

To correct that misunderstanding, Gaja made the bold decision to declassify his famed crus from Barbaresco DOCG to Langhe Nebbiolo. The move had nothing to do with a drop in quality—those vineyards continued to perform at the highest level—but everything to do with protecting the identity of his Barbaresco. By shifting the crus to Langhe Nebbiolo, he ensured that the Barbaresco DOCG stood alone, clearly recognized as an estate-defining wine rather than a by-product. It was a strategic, even visionary act: one that preserved the prestige of the traditional Barbaresco bottling while allowing the crus to shine on their own terms, free of

DOCG constraints.

Angelo Gaja’s 2022 Barbaresco DOCG is a masterful expression of Nebbiolo drawn from all 14 of his estate vineyards across Barbaresco and Treiso. The grapes root deeply in calcareous-marl soils at altitudes of roughly 250–330 m, which impart both finesse and structure. The harvest was not without its challenges: 2022 was a warm vintage with reduced yields, resulting in smaller, more concentrated berries. Gaja used about 10% whole-cluster fruit, an experimental choice meant to preserve freshness and balance out the vintage’s richness. After fermentation and maceration (done parcel by parcel), the wine spends roughly 24 months aging — a portion in barriques and the remainder in large Slavonian oak casks — before final blending.

Compared with recent vintages, the 2022 displays a rare combination of opulence and precision. For instance, the 2019 Barbaresco was harvested after hail damaged several crus, so all the fruit ended up in the blended estate wine — yielding a vibrant, floral, and tightly structured wine with plush cherry and rose notes. The 2020 vintage, on the other hand, was warm but marked by strong diurnal swings; its Barbaresco is open, fresh, and elegant, with integrated tannins and soft red-fruit flavors. Against that backdrop, the 2022 feels richer, denser, but still lifted by its acidity and whole-cluster contribution, giving it a freshness that belies its concentration. It is not a vintage to overlook and its ageing potential is on the very long side.

On the nose, the 2022 Barbaresco bursts with bright dark cherry, raspberry, and plum, layered with floral rose and violet petals, licorice, and sweet spice. The palate is silky yet structured, with fine, sweet-leaning tannins and a vibrant, citrus-tinged freshness. As it opens, you might sense cedar, new leather, and a touch of tobacco, while the finish lingers long with mineral tension and refined red-berry perfume.

Special Price $389.99

Wine will be available is parcels from January till end of spring.