2018 Gaja, Barolo, Conteisa

The Gaja 2018 Barolo Conteisa shows very nicely, with ripe aromas of plum, strawberry, grilled herb and chamomile flower. Give the wine time and it shows more herbal sensations and even a blast of mint that is characteristic of Cerequio, where the grapes are harvested. This wine was first labeled Barolo in 2013, and before that it was a Langhe red. The Gaja family has five hectares in this cru, and Gaia Gaja describes the lovely perfumes given off by wild mint that rubs off on your legs when you walk through the vineyard rows. This site has compact clay soils that are prone to erosion during heavy rains. These conditions give natural concentration and firmness to the wine, although compared to other years, this wine is perhaps less structured. Gaia Gaja compares 2018 to 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994. The upcoming 2019 has more tannins and acidity, she says. Production was lower in 2018, with 5,700 bottles made, down from an annual average of 8,000.

Gaja's 2018 Barolo Conteisa is elegant, gracious and classy to the core. Silky tannins and lifted, floral aromatics give this mid-weight Barolo tons of charm. This is classic Cerequio. Sweet red berry, pomegranate, kirsch, blood orange and mint notes, that are such signatures of this La Morra site, are beautifully delineated. All the elements are so nicely balanced. I can’t wait to see how the 2018 ages. The Gajas were especially selective in 2018. Bottled production for Conteisa is down 50%.