Gaja   Gaia Rey

2006 Gaia & Rey

By Gaja

2006 Gaia & Rey from Gaja, Piedmont, Italy

No discussion about fine wines from Italy would be complete without paying homage to the giant of Piedmont- Gaja. The 2006 Gaia & Rey, an individuation of white variety hailing from this renowned producer, is a testament to what a Chardonnay can express when treated with the utmost respect.

 

A Vintage Adorned with Distinct Attributes and Nuances

Every vintage narrates its unique tale, and the story of the 2006 Gaia & Rey is marked by the year's benevolent climate conditions. The season was characterised by a long ripening period followed by a warm harvest, patterns of resplendent sun mingled with cool nights playing the critical role in shaping this vino's persona.

What sets apart this 2006 vintage from Gaja's other creations is a notable harmony between opulent richness and astonishing delicacy. The gentle aging treatment that veered away from heavy oaking added an extra layer of complexity.

 

Investing in a Classic

The 2006 Gaia & Rey leaps from the glass with an array of subtly intertwined aromas- perfumed floral notes contrasted by hints of tropics and honeyed almonds. And as it unfolds on the palate, we get mesmerised by the interplay of soothing richness and tensile acidity which set up a lingering aftertaste.

For wine investors, this vintage represents an embodiment of high-performing Italian class that has stood the test of time and continues to evolve impeccably, thus promising significant returns on investment.

 

The Epitome of Gaja's Mastery

In summary, one can't help but admire how beautifully Gaja has presented this 2006 Gaia & Rey. Each sip serves as an ode to the producer's incomparable winemaking prowess and the terroir's bountiful generosity. Embedded in the heart of Italy's prestigious wine landscape, Gaja has managed yet again to captivate our senses with a rendition that is harmonious, sumptuous, and profoundly marked by its unique 2006 stamp. It stands as a testament to the potential of Italian white wines - an investable delight for the discerning investor.

Current market price

$7,360.00

12x75cl

Highest score

92

POP score

367.5

Scores and tasting notes

92

The 2006 Chardonnay Gaia & Rey is a wonderfully pure, minerally Chardonnay laced with varietal fruit buffered by silky, elegant tannins. The French oak needs some time to incorporate into the wine, but this remains an extraordinarily beautiful, refined Chardonnay of notable pedigree. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016. I was blown away by Angelo Gaja’s 2005 wines from Barbaresco. When all is said and done, Gaja may have well produced not the wine, but rather the wines of the vintage in a year that was excellent but not profound. While Gaja’s 2005 don’t have the explosive, multi-dimensional personalities of his 2004s, they are vibrant offerings that will thrill readers who love Piedmont wines. As always, Gaja blends in a small percentage of Barbera in his single-vineyard wines, but that is hardly noticeable in this vintage. I also noted less new oak than has generally been the case in the recent past. The wines showcase very pure expressions of Nebbiolo and are made in a style that appears to make fewer concessions to the decidedly international approach of previous vintages. In short, these are the most Piedmontese wines I have tasted from Angelo Gaja in a long time. Could it be that the greatest innovator in Piedmont over the last thirty five-plus years has taken a small step towards a more classic style? Importer: Terlato Wines International, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900

Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 29 October 2008

Vintage performance