2007 Costa Russi
By Gaja
2007 Costa Russi by Gaja, Langhe, Italy
The 2007 Costa Russi from Gaja is nothing short of a majestic foray into the complex world of Italian viticulture. Every bottle encapsulates the magnificence of its pedigree, complete with a unique and intimately personal expression of the renowned Langhe region nestled within the heartlands of Italy.
The Intricacies and Nuances of 2007
Being one with nature's whim, the unique condition of each vintage has a profound impact on the ultimate finesse and character expressed within an individual wine. The 2007 vintage bears testament to this poignant fact. An unusually warm stretch early in the growing period thrust the vines into a significant lead, creating the foundation for a wine of incredible concentration.
In contrast, cooler conditions as harvest approached allowed the grapes to hold their acidity beautifully, resulting in a bold, yet well-balanced narrative for this fine wine expression. This climatic dance masterpiece crafted a Costa Russi filled with an enchanting tension that sings of power restrained by grace - a hallmark of wines from Italy sharing her alluring elegance.
A Symphony of Taste: Investment Potential Personified
The seductive palate reveals intricate layers of blackberries, truffles, and exotic spices, intertwined with smooth tannins that lead to an enduring finish. As such, it presents an opulent invitation to invest in future delights waiting to unfold in this distinctive iteration of 2007 Costa Russi.
Investment in fine wines often brings with it the promise of maturing flavors—like leaves on a vine slowly ripening under the Tuscan sun. In this context, maturation takes on dual meaning; it chronicles both the evolving sophistication in taste profile and potential financial appreciation that expertly crafted vintages such as the 2007 Costa Russi offer.
As the conclusion to this journey into the vinotopia of Gaja’s vineyards, one can’t help but admire the intense dedication that encourages them to continually push the envelope. The resulting 2007 Costa Russi from Gaja is a testament to the prowess of Italian viticulture - an emblem of the vineyard's heritage and a beacon to future tastes being cultivated as we speak.
Current market price
$4,980.00
12x75cl
Highest score
98
POP score
166.11
Scores and tasting notes
The 2007 Langhe Costa Russi combines richness and focus to a degree that has seldom been seen here. This insanely beautiful wine boasts a breathtaking bouquet, explosive, generous fruit and an absolutely eternal finish. Layers of dark red fruit, minerals, flowers and spices saturate every corner of the palate as this mind-blowing Costa Russi struts its stuff. This is a towering effort from Angelo Gaja. The wine should be accessible fairly early and age for decades. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2037. My most recent visit to Gaja was quite an experience, as I tasted all of the estate’s 1989s, 1990s and 2007s. The 1989s and 1990s are reviewed in this issue’s What About Now feature. Angelo Gaja, always loquacious on a wide range of subjects, says virtually nothing about his wines, an approach I have increasingly come to appreciate in an era where so many producers are constantly in pitch mode. Then again, Gaja doesn’t really need to say anything, the wines speak for themselves. I tasted the 2007s at the winery in November 2009 and then again in New York in January 2010. Both times they were spectacular. Stylistically the 2007s remind me of the 1997s in terms of their opulence. Gaja’s wines are often immensely appealing when young – which is certainly the case with the 2007s – but then close down in bottle for a number of years, sometimes many years. My impression is that the Costa Russi and Conteisa are the most likely of these 2007s to offer the widest drinking windows throughout their lives with a minimum of cellaring. Fermentation and malolactic fermentation take place in steel. The wines then spend approximately one year in French oak and a second year in cask prior to being bottled. As has been the case for a number of years now, Gaja’s Langhe wines incorporate a small percentage of Barbera. On a final note, it’s great to see Gaja’s daughters Gaia and Rossana increasingly involved in the winery. They, and their younger brother Giovanni, have big shoes to fill, but couldn’t have asked for better teachers than Angelo and Lucia Gaja. Importer: Terlato Wines International, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604 8900
Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 26 February 2010