Sori Tildin 2004

97RP, 97WS, 94ST no further case discount

The 2004 Costa Russi is irresistibly sexy and opulent. As is typically the case the wine is more overtly fruit-driven with a round supple personality. Sweet long and richly-textured it is just plain awesome in its display of generous vibrant fruit tar smoke minerals and herbs. It is the finest Costa Russi yet. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2024. Angelo Gaja and long-time oenologist Guido Rivella produced some of the most monumental wines of their long storied partnership in 2004. Although I admire Gajas wines especially for their consistency I rarely find them this emotionally moving and utterly profound. The stable weather and cool tempering evenings towards the end of the growing season allowed Gaja and Rivella to harvest fairly late in 2004. I remember passing by Gajas Barbaresco vineyards in October of that year and seeing fruit still waiting to be picked long after most producers had already brought the fruit in. Gajas 2004s from Barbaresco are especially breathtaking for their clarity and prec

Gaja, the arch-modernist of his age preserved tradition in his barbaresco. Aged in some of the largest and well-used botte in Piedmont, as an homage to his father and grandfather. Crafted with long-term ageing in mind. 2004 brougth a refreshing change from 2003's excessive heat. Wines are more in balance, ripe and with ideal cellaring potential.

Wine Advocate ReviewThe 2004 Barbaresco reveals fresh, perfumed aromatics that lead to layers of crushed flowers, spices and sweet raspberries. This is a wine of rare class, elegance and pure breed. It offers outstanding length and silky, elegant tannins to round out the inviting finish. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2024.