1999 Angelo Gaja Langhe Sori Tilden Double Magnum - 95 pts!

Gaja is one of the best-known wine producers in all of Italy. Originating in and still based in Barbaresco, in northwest Italy, the Gaja name remains most strongly associated with Nebbiolo-based wines, though the company now makes more wine in Tuscany than Piedmont.

The business was founded in 1859 by Giovanni Gaja with just 5 acres of vineyards in Barbaresco. Each generation saw expansion, although Angelo Gaja, who took over full-time in 1970, is often credited with the estate's more recent success. He was responsible for overseeing sweeping changes in the vineyards and cellars, and introducing the famed single-vineyard Barbaresco wines Sorì San Lorenzo, Sorì Tildìn, and Costa Russi (now Langhe DOC wines). These changes were not always well-received: famously, the name of the Darmagi Cabernet Sauvignon translates as 'what a pity', referring to Angelo's father's regret over the introduction of Bordeaux varieties.

Gaja is famous for having modernized Piedmont, introducing international grape varieties and winemaking practices more common in Bordeaux or California. However, traditional elements remain, such as long macerations and the use of larger oak barrels (albeit in combination with new barriques). The estate generated a lot of attention when it began to blend a small amount of Barbera into all but two of its Barbaresco and Barolo wines, relegating them to the Langhe DOC classification. Angelo Gaja insisted this was a traditional practice to correct acidity, and at any rate, the label focused on the vineyard name, rather than the appellation

Varietal	Nebbiolo
Vintage	1999
Rating	94 WS - 95 RP
Bottle Size	3000 ml
Bottle Quantity	1
Country	Italy
Region	Piedmont
Location	Barolo
Producer	Gaja Angelo
Color	Red
Wine Type	Table

Rating

1999 Langhe Sori TildinThe 1999 Sori Tildin is a knockout wine. It offers a classic, expressive nose of flowers and spices and somewhat austere profile of sweet red fruit, minerals and menthol on a mid-weight frame. It is the hardest of these wines to read today, but I found myself coming back to it often and discovering new nuances with each taste. It is clearly a wine of much potential and should start to drink well in another few years and last until age 25-30. It will be a fascinating wine to follow.

Wine Spectator	94 WS - Starts off a bit earthy but then turns to glorious, freshly cut flowers, with hints of crushed berries. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, caressing finish. Very refined. A special style for Sori Tildin. 1,050 cases made.

Burghound

Varietal	Nebbiolo
Vintage	1999
Rating	94 WS - 95 RP
Bottle Size	3000 ml
Bottle Quantity	1
Country	Italy
Region	Piedmont
Location	Barolo
Producer	Gaja Angelo
Color	Red
Wine Type	Table

1999 Angelo Gaja Langhe Sori Tilden Double Magnum - 3000ml