The Sorì San Lorenzo single vineyard is located in Barbaresco, close to the historic town center. It is south/ southwestern faced and it overlooks the Tanaro River, which regulates temperature and humidity.
Winery: Located in Piedmont in northwestern Italy, the GAJA winery is widely considered to be one of the greatest estates in the world, producing coveted and collectible labels.
Wine: In the local dialect, Sorì refers to the hillside facing south, while San Lorenzo is the patron saint protecting Alba’s Cathedral, as the vineyard was church property until 1964, when it was purchased by the Gaja family.
Grape Varietals:
100% Nebbiolo
Tasting Notes:
The nose is very intriguing and iridescent with mineral scents, intense aromas of citrus, blackberry, currant and raspberry; yet violet, lily of the valley, rose and wild herbs. On the palate it has volume and power, the texture is dense, with long and full tannins. It’s very complex and changes a lot in the glass.
100 Points - James Suckling, November 2016. "Majestic aromas of crushed berries, meat and orange peel. Full body, lots of powerful yet ripe tannins and exquisite fruit. Amazing depth and density. They said they macerated a little more than normal because the fruit was perfect. A classic nebbiolo that reminds me of the great 1996. About 30% less production. Don’t touch for five to 10 years. A celebratory wine for Gaja’s return to the Barbaresco appellation."
98 Points - Falstaff, November 2016. "Bright, powerful ruby in colour. Very inviting and intense on the nose, lush with ripe wild raspberry, fresh plum, and cherry, with subtle notes of saffron in the background. The radiant palate opens with perfectly integrated, finely meshed tannin, it is juicy, full-bodied and flows beautifully with real depth and a very long finish."
97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, June 2016. "Congratulations to the Gaja family and their 2013 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo. This is a sheer and powerful expression of Nebbiolo that boasts a very firm and precise textural quality. The wine is 100% Nebbiolo, as blended Barbera is no longer part of the Sorì San Lorenzo DNA. The tannins are sharply delineated with a crunchy snap that you feel on the palate. This should definitely serve to keep the wine firmly rooted and committed to a slow aging trajectory. That structural firmness is the defining characteristic of this wine, and that unique identity is even more evident now that this wine is officially classified as Barbaresco."
96 Points - Cellar Tracker
94 Points - Wine Spectator, April 2017.
93 Points - Wine Enthusiast, January 2017. "Underbrush, camphor, dark berry and balsamic aromas take center stage on this radiant wine. The palate shows structure and finesse, delivering licorice, black cherry, French oak and a hint of exotic spice. Firm acidity and assertive tannins provide an age-worthy framework. Drink 2020–2035."
