2001 Gaja Costa Russi - Langhe DOC - 1 Bouteille (0,75 l)

the Gaja Costa Russi 2001 (Langhe Nebbiolo DOC).
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Intense garnet red, clear, with warm reflections typiques du Nebbiolo mûr et précoce grand.
Nose: Complexe et élégant profil aromatique. Des notes de fruits rouges mûrs (cerise, prune, mûre) et de fleurs (violette sèche et rose) émergent, accompagnées d’eaux tertiaires de vanille, cuir, tabac doux, fines épices, cacao, et une nuance subtile balsamique et minérale.
Palate: Doux, enveloppant, et extraordinairement structuré en bouche. Les tanins sont soyeux et bien intégrés grâce au vieillissement et à l’évolution en bouteille. Il présente une acidité vive qui assure l’équilibre, l’élégance fraîche et une finale incroyablement longue et persistante.
Critical Scores (2001 Vintage)
The 2001 vintage in Piedmont is considered excellent, and Costa Russi 2001 received outstanding ratings from major international wine guides and critics:
Robert Parker / Wine Advocate: 95/100
Wine Spectator: 93/100
Vinous (Antonio Galloni): 94–95/100
CellarTracker: ~94/100 (average enthusiast score)
Winery History (Gaja)
Foundation: The Gaja winery was founded in 1859 by Giovanni Gaja in Barbaresco, in the heart of the Langhe region (Piedmont).
Innovation and Expansion: The winery became a global winemaking icon under the leadership of Angelo Gaja, who joined the company in 1961. Angelo revolutionized Italian winemaking and communication by introducing innovative techniques such as:
Using French oak barriques for aging Piedmontese wines.
Temperature-controlled fermentation.
Single-vineyard vinification (famous single vineyards like Sorì San Lorenzo, Sorì Tildìn, and Costa Russi).
The "Costa Russi" Vineyard: Acquired in 1967 by the Gaja family, the vineyard takes its name from "Costa" (the sun-drenched slope) and "Russi," the nickname of the previous owner.
Evolution of the Appellation: For several years (including the 2001 vintage shown), Gaja chose to declassify its single-vineyard Barbarescos to the Langhe DOC Nebbiolo appellation (adding a small percentage of Barbera, around 5%), reserving the Barbaresco DOCG designation exclusively for its traditional blend. Since 2013, the three single-vineyard wines have returned to 100% Nebbiolo under the Barbaresco DOCG classification.