THE WINE

The Conteisa of the Gaja winery comes from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, grown in the vineyards in Cerequio. Conteisa in the Piedmontese dialect means courtesy, and Angelo Gaja, with this label, wanted to pay homage to the ancient dispute between the municipalities of La Morra and Barolo; a dispute born to claim ownership of the hills where the cru is located.

Today Cerequio falls within the municipality of La Morra; considered one of the most prestigious plots for the cultivation of Nebbiolo, it is nicknamed “Riviera delle Langhe” by local farmers because it is one of the first vineyards where the winter snows melt.

THE WINEMAKING

The grapes come from a single vineyard called Cerequio; the grapes are carefully selected during the strictly manual harvest, and only the best are used to produce this label. The peculiarity of this wine is the double refinement. In fact, after fermentation, the wine ages for 12 months in French oak barriques and a further 18 months in large barrels of precious wood. Once bottled, it rests in the cellar for a for a long time before being placed on the market.

THE TASTING

Ruby red with garnet reflections. The aroma is broad and very complex, with pleasant hints of ripe red fruit such as blackberry and plum, which intertwine with notes of violet and puffs of vanilla and spices. Very intense and robust on the palate, this is a wine with a great body and very well-structured tannins. The persistence is also excellent. A very long finish is full of spicy flavours.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Perfect with red meats, game and hard cheeses. Due to its quality, it is also excellent as a meditation wine.

Wine is purchased directly from the producer and stored in cold rooms.

THE AWARDS

2007
– Robert Parker –  97/100
– James Suckling – 95/100