Camarcanda 2009

The flagship wine, the 2009 Bolgheri Camarcanda, is a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and a small component of Cabernet Franc. Perhaps inspired by the elegance and finesse of Nebbiolo, Angelo has miraculously applied those traits to the exuberant winemaking world of coastal Tuscany. This blended red shows enormous attention to detail with sharp and focused aromas of black inky, polished river stone, blackberry and spice. The mouthfeel is firm with soft fruity layers at the back. You can count on a wide drinking window. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030. Angelo Gaja oozes enthusiasm for all his wine endeavors. But he shows a special degree of love and passion when it comes to his estate in Bolgheri, Ca’ Marcanda. As I write this introduction, I am sifting through my email inbox where Angelo has deposited a slew of areal photographs of his beloved estate, each one adding to a progressive timeline of the construction and olive tree landscaping completed over the past decade. Inaugurated in 2000, the winery sits on flatland but is almost completely hidden under a layer of earth. Unlike his historic cellars in Barbaresco that represents a confluence of ideals spanning many generations, Ca’ Marcanda is a utopian vision of winemaking contemplated and realized solely by Angelo.

Score: 96

Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2030 01 August 2013