2015 Gaja, Barbaresco, Sori Tildin

Gaja's wines seem to be more precise in fruit and less extracted today than in previous decades. The tremendously youthful pomegranate and wild strawberry character discloses the ageing potential of this Sorì Tildin, supported by a full body and firm, tight-knit tannins, and underlined by still-firm acid. The finish shows the sweet character of straw and mild tobacco. This still needs time.

The 2015 Barbaresco Sorì Tildìn is dense and compact with smoky layers of black fruit, crushed mineral and black truffle. This growing site always produces robust and opulent wines, but these characteristics are hammered home even more so in the hot 2015 vintage. The wine graciously offers enough acidity to achieve balance and remind you of its pedigree. Barbaresco usually opens and evolves faster than Barolo. I think you can count on this wine to reach the start of its drinking window within the next decade.

More prominent fruit on the nose than their Sorì San Lorenzo, with a redcurrant scent a bit like Pinot Noir from California or Victoria. Quite heady on the palate with powerful core fruit and dark chocolate character on the finish. Hedonistic – this is Nebbiolo on parade. Long and engaging on the finish, but with quite a lot of alcohol fumes too. (RH)