Barolo Conteisa Gaja 2020 (750ML)

97 Points, Kerin O'Keefe, KerinOKeefe.com: "The gorgeous 2020 Gaja Barolo Conteisa is smooth and silky, delivering delicious fruit flavors of crushed raspberry, red cherry and baking spice. Silky tannins provide seamless support while fresh acidity keeps it well balanced. It’s already accessible but will provide years of fine sipping. Drink 2025 through 2035. Abv: 14%" 04/24

98 Points, James Suckling: "This is a really enticing wine with an open and vivid nature that tells you right away it is Barolo, but it’s polished and sweetly tannic. You want to taste and taste. It’s medium- to full-bodied with rounded tannins and a savory finish. Juicy and so approachable now. Better in a couple of years, but hard to resist now..." 08/24

97 Points, Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com: "The Serralunga power comes through in the 2020 Barolo Conteisa. Boasting a jeweled, shimmering ruby color, it’s ripe and expressive with pristine notes of strawberry preserve, balsamic herbs, candied flowers, and sweet tobacco. It offers a lot of ripe sapidity on the palate, with a resinous quality, a touch of warmth, a rounded feel, and great length. It’s fairly approachable now, but it’s going to have the structure to last over the long haul, 20 years or so.The Gaja estate was founded in 1859, although it was Angelo Gaja, the fourth-generation winemaker of this Barbaresco estate, who made the innovations that would help shape the region as it is today. The entire family shares responsibilities across their estates. Great attention is paid to their practice of sustainable and regenerative farming. The latest major development for the estate in Piedmont is a brand new winery exclusively dedicated to their still white wine production in Alta Langa, 16 kilometers away from the original estate. It was designed by the Italian architect Giovanni Bo, who the family have worked with since 1982. The vineyards of Gaia & Rey and Brassica will remain the same, but fermentation and production have moved to this location, which was completed in time for the 2023 harvest. There is greater biodiversity in Alta Langa compared to Barolo and Barbaresco, with 60% of the land being undeveloped land and hazelnut farms, and only 40% vineyards, compared to Barbaresco, which has 80% of the land under vine. For this reason, as well as the higher elevations, this area is seeing an influx of attention across the region. In 2015, the family purchased 30 hectares of land that had been planted to hazelnut trees, at an average elevation of 650 meters, which they have converted to vineyard and indigenous plants of the area. Cascina Langa, the historical name for the property, has soils that are rich in sand and tuff, which they believe will be well-suited for adding structure for the white varietals of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. They also planted several other experimental vines to learn what will work well in the region. (Drink between 2024-2044)" 05/24

97 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2020 Barolo Conteisa is fabulous. Once again, Conteisa makes a very strong case for itself as the most improved wine at Gaja. Sensual, silky tannins and lifted aromatics capture the pinnacle of finesse. Medium in body, gracious and impeccable in its balance, Conteisa is stunning in its beauty. In the past, I had always considered Conteisa the lesser of the Gaja Barolos, but that is no longer the case. (Drink between 2026-2038)" 10/24

94 Points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator: "This spicy, cherry-scented red offers a lacy texture and elegant profile, with cherry, strawberry, eucalyptus, anise, iron and wild herb flavors driven by bracing acidity. Balanced overall, extending on the resonant finish. Best from 2027 through 2048. 250 cases imported." 11/24