GAJA Gaia and Rey Chardonnay 2022 750ml

A wine that perhaps needs no formal introduction but most certainly deserves one, especially if you are just starting your vinous journey with Gaja. Arguably Italy’s most iconic Chardonnay and at the time of creation a very controversial one when it was first released in 1983. Planting Chardonnay within in the boundaries of Barbaresco DOCG in Treiso was unthinkable yet now most would acknowledge it was just one of several innovative thoughts/ideas from Angelo Gaja that challenged the traditions of the region and cemented the estate as one of the greatest producers of Italy if not fine wine globally.

Named after Lucia and Angelo Gaja’s daughter, Gaia Gaja and Angelo Gaja’s grandmother Clotilde Rey.

Gaia & Rey Chardonnay is produced from two separated vineyards in the Langhe district: Giacosa planted in 1979 in Treiso and Rivettte in Serralunga d’Alba planted in 1989. Total of approximately 5.5 hectares planted specifically with Chardonnay between these vineyards for Gaia & Rey.

At present the wine continues to be 100% from these two sites but with the recently planting of Chardonnay in the Langhe Alta by Gaja it’s expected as these vines mature a component will be included from these higher altitude vineyards. From the 2023 vintage this wine will be solely made at the new winery in the Langhe Alta which Gaja has built specifically for the pursuit of producing their white wines.

96 Points - James Suckling