2018 Barbaresco Gaiun Martinenga

The 2018 Barbaresco Gaiun Martinenga is encompassing in its aromas, with enveloping notes of incense, raspberry, and spiced orange. It is medium-bodied but offers more richness of fruit through the palate, with ripe strawberry, fresh roses, and crushed stones, ripe tannins, and a lot of immediate appeal as well as great charm. Drink 2023-2040.

The 2018 Barbaresco Gaiun Martinenga is a beautiful wine that shows the style of both the vintage and cru perched just above Asili. Dark cherry/plum, spice, menthol, licorice and a touch of nicely judged oak fill out the layers. In 2018 Gaiun is a bit light, as most wines are, and yet its balance is absolutely impeccable. Terrific.

Pale red-rose in colour, fresh and supple redcurrant flavours, touch of balsamic vinegar, plum, dried herbs and blond tobacco. There is a lovely sappy unfussiness to this, but the acidity is pretty high through the finish, and it can be deceptive, as those fine tannins are actually plentiful in number, and need time in the glass or in a carafe to really let the air in to them. Don't understimate this would be my advice, and give it a few hours before drinking. The entirety of this historic vineyard is owned by Marchesi di Gresy, but this comes from a 2.3ha plot of Nebbiolo vines dating back to 1964. Sold through the Bordeaux system for the first time in 2022. Ageing in French oak barrels for 30 months then 16 months in barrel, winemaker Matteo Sasso.