Costa Russi, Gaja 2011

Round, supple and succulent, the 2011 Costa Russi is laced with dark red cherry, plum, mocha, cloves and new leather. The classic Costa Russi personality comes through in a soft, gracious wine with tons of near and medium-term appeal. The Costa Russi captures an attractive middle ground between the ripe, pliant style of the year and the medium bodied grace of Nebbiolo. I expect the 2011 will offer a long and broad drinking window of pure pleasure. Although Costa Russi is often the most precocious of Gaja's single-vineyard wines, it is the last site to be picked.

Good medium red. Sexy aromas of strawberry, cranberry, rose petal and spices. Broad, ripe and deep, with terrific inner-mouth perfume and lift to the flavors of red fruits and spices. Has the mid-palate silkiness of texture to support its ripe, building tannins. Very juicy wine with a subtle minty high note.

The 2011 Costa Russi delivers youthfulness and brightness with bold cherry fruit flavors, cassis, spice and mild cola. The wine excels in in the mouth where it shows a great degree of roundness and suppleness. Costa Russi is Nebbiolo with a tiny addition of Barbera. Drink: 2018-2038.

95% Nebbiolo, 5% Barbera. Dark, brooding, earthy fruit nose. Impressive compact fruit palate demands much more time and with bags of finely chiselled tannins. Not yet knit together but a beautiful whole.