Gaja, Barolo, Conteisa 2021

The bright red 2021 Barolo Conteisa is highly expressive and ramps up the volume on the nose. It makes a statement with its aromas of wild spice, redcurrants, cherries, ripe tannins, and intense ripe orange fruit. It has a lot of clarity but offers dramatic intensity and completeness, with mouthwatering acidity, angular tannins, and a fantastically long finish. Flirting with perfection, this is an exceptional wine all around to return to over the coming decades.

A little shy initially, the Gaja 2021 Barolo Conteisa will certainly require more time in bottle to continue its slow evolution. The bouquet is powerful and rich, showing beautiful Nebbiolo layering with wild berry, forest floor, blue flower and sambuca. In terms of mouthfeel, it delivers an impressive level of power with firm tannins that are almost glossy in texture thanks to their finely polished nature.

The 2021 Barolo Conteisa marries power with elegance. Readers will find an especially heady, explosive Conteisa. Time in the glass brings out classic Cerequio red-toned fruit, spice and blood orange notes that effortlessly fill out a surprisingly large-scaled frame. Powerful, incisive tannins demand cellaring. This is an especially rich Conteisa.