2001 Gaja Costa Russi - Langhe DOC - 1 Garrafa (0,75 L)

the Gaja Costa Russi 2001 (Langhe Nebbiolo DOC).
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Intense garnet red, clear, with warm reflections typical of mature, great Nebbiolo.
Nose: Complex and elegant aromatic profile. Notes of ripe red fruits (cereja, ameixa, amora) e flores (violeta seca e rosa) emergem, acompanhadas por sinais terciários de baunilha, couro, tabaco doce, especiarias finas, cacau, e uma nuance sutil balsâmica e mineral.
Palate: Suave, envolvente, e extraordinarmente estruturado no palato. Os taninos são sedosos e bem integrados graças ao envelhecimento e à evolução em garrafa. Apresenta uma acidez vibrante que garante equilíbrio, elegância fresca e um final incrivelmente longo e persistente.
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.