Wine of The Week – Gaja Sito Moresco 2015

Gaja is an iconic Italian brand, that needs very little introduction.  The name evokes images of fine wines of the highest quality.   The Gaja family is considered to be “The Royal Family of Italian Wines”.  Having arrived from Spain in the 17th century, the Gaja Family opened a taverna in Barbaresco and later in 1859 Giovanni Gaja founded Gaja Winery. Since then five generations of the Gaja family have been producing wines in the Piedmont Langhe hills.

In 1961 Angelo Gaja(great grandson of Giovanni Gaja) joined the winery and became a revolutionary figure in the the Italian wine world.  Angelo Gaja had great respect for tradition but also brought about change and innovation.  In the late 1960’s the Gaja family expanded and acquired land in the top sites of Piedmont.

Angelo Gaja was one to take risk.  In 2000 he declassified his Barolo and Barbaresco to Langhe(a lower classification).  This allowed him to produce the best wines he knew how, without any restrictions or wine laws to get in the way.  Some say this was arrogance and pride yet others see it as his way to attain freedom to express and create wines in his own legendary style.  Angelo Gaja became an international superstar and brought much fame and respect to Italian wines, the best wines are now compared to some of the best Bordeaux and Burgundy wines,

Sito Moresco Langhe DOC 2015

Sito Moresco is the name of the family that farmed the estate in Barbaresco before the Gaja family.  The name of the wine is a tribute to the history and heritage of the site.  There are beautiful pheasants on the label to commemorate the birds that fly locally around the forests that surround Gaja Vineyards.

Sito Moresco Langhe DOC 2015 is a harmonious blend of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  This is the only true red blend in the Gaja portfolio of wines from Piedmont, allowing for new interpretations of the wines from Langhe.  The wine is made from vineyards located in the villages of Barbaresco and Triso with a blend of fruit from Serralunga d’Alba.  2015 sees a new introduction of Barbera in the mix, creating a well balanced blend that is international and modern in style.

Wine Notes

The dark ruby red wine has exciting notes of black cherries, violet and plum.  The wine is made in the typical Gaja style, that is elegant and structured.  There is dark fruit, vanilla and oak on the palate.  The tannins are firms yet approachable.  The fruit forwardness of the wine makes it very pleasing on the palate.  Many of Gaja’s wines demand sky high prices, this is a phenomenal wine to understand and appreciate the depth and expertise of Gaja for $50.  The Sito Moresco Langhe DOC 2015 is one of my favorite Italian wines in the $50 price category.