Gaja Barbaresco Sori Tildin 2017

Barbaresco is a great food wine. Traditionally served with roasted braised meat such as beef, pork and boar, Barbaresco is actually very versatile: owing to its high acidity and red fruit profile. It pairs well with roasted chicken, veal, game birds and even seafood. Heartier pasta and risotto dishes are other obvious pairings, as are aged Italian cheeses.

Once deeper into the glass, you'll begin to notice a complex myriad of things - first cedar, then sweet fruits such as white melon and pear, followed closely by coriander, sage and earthy aromatic herbs. All of these aromatics wash over your palate upon entry, the tannins are well-structured and the acidity is laser perfect. Not as powerfully tannic as Costa Russi, it mainly benefits from a wider spectrum of aromas and flavors, plus wonderful freshness and opulence all the way through a very long finish.

97 Points - James Suckling     Extremely perfumed aromas of dried flowers, dried strawberries and pumice, as well as tar, following through to a full body, with chewy and polished tannins and a long, juicy finish. Quite broad tannins. Dusty texture. Drink after 2021.

95 Points - Wine Spectator     A mix of earth, wild herb, cherry and plum flavors mine the rich texture in this intense red, which is well-balanced and lively, with a lingering aftertaste echoing the fruit and adding a mineral element. Gains polish with air. Best from 2024 through 2045.

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate    The Gaja 2017 Barbaresco Sorì Tildìn opens to a luminous ruby appearance with pretty crimson highlights. This vintage appears lighter in color and concentration compared to past editions. The bouquet delivers a purity and sharpness nonetheless, but it offers less overall fruit. It shows subtle berry tones with blue flower, aniseed and candied orange peel. This very young Sorì Tildìn takes time to open, and it remains on the nervous side even after it has been given ample time in the glass. The best course of action is to wait until the 10-year mark before opening this bottle. It needs that extra time to soften and flesh out.