Angelo Gaja : Gaia & Rey 2023

Tasting characteristics and notes for Angelo Gaja's Gaia & Rey 2023

Tasting

Appearance
This wine reveals a straw-yellow robe with golden highlights, both bright and luminous.

Nose
Complex and fragrant, the bouquet unveils elegant aromas of white- and yellow-fleshed fruits, such as apple, pear, peach and citrus. These fruity notes intertwine with delicate floral touches, light honey and hazelnut. Barrel ageing brings subtle nuances of toasted bread, almond, fresh butter and a discreet hint of vanilla, all underpinned by a beautiful minerality reminiscent of damp chalk.

Palate
The attack is generous and flavoursome, offering a creamy texture perfectly balanced by precise acidity. The mid-palate unfolds a mineral, saline framework, leading into a long, persistent finish that leaves fine aromas of citrus, dried fruits and gentle smoky notes.

Food and wine pairings

This great white wine pairs wonderfully with noble fish such as roasted turbot, line-caught sea bass or grilled lobster, ideally accompanied by a beurre blanc or creamy sauce. It also enhances pan-seared shellfish, poultry in cream or mushroom sauce, as well as moderately aged cooked pressed cheeses such as Comté or Beaufort.

Serving and cellaring

With a structure built for ageing, Gaia & Rey 2023 boasts great cellaring potential. It can be kept in the cellar for ten to fifteen years, or even longer, during which it will develop complex tertiary notes while retaining its beautiful energy.

Other characteristics

This historic cuvée is the very first Chardonnay produced from a dedicated vineyard in Piedmont, as well as the first great Italian white wine to have benefited from barrel ageing. Its name is a family tribute, combining the first name of Angelo's eldest daughter, Gaia, with that of his grandmother, Clotilde Rey.

A pioneering and iconic Chardonnay from Piedmont

The estate

Founded in 1859 by Giovanni Gaja in the village of Barbaresco, in the heart of Piedmont, the family estate has established itself as a true mark of prestige on a global scale. Under the visionary leadership of Angelo Gaja, who still oversees the property today alongside his children Gaia, Rossana and Giovanni, the House has profoundly modernised regional viticulture. By combining respect for local traditions with innovative techniques, the estate produces wines of exceptional quality, elevating its cuvées to the pinnacle of the international wine hierarchy.

The vineyard

The grapes used for this Gaia & Rey 2023 cuvée come from two distinct plots located within the Langhe D.O.P. appellation, offering complementary geological characteristics. The Treiso vineyard (Giacosa), planted in 1979 on marl and limestone soils at altitude, brings freshness, fragrance and balance. The Serralunga d'Alba vineyard (Rivette), planted in 1989 on more compact, clay-rich soils, gives the wine its structure, volume and acidity.

The vintage

The 2023 growing season was marked by a demanding climatic context, characterised by rising temperatures and extreme events. Faced with these weather challenges, meticulous management of the vine's growth cycle was essential to limit water stress and preserve the natural balance and freshness of the grapes.

Winemaking and ageing

To craft Gaia & Rey 2023, fermentation takes place in oak barrels. The wine then benefits from 18 months of ageing in these same barrels, before continuing its refinement in stainless steel tanks. This method allows the oak notes to be harmoniously integrated while preserving tension and aromatic purity.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay.