Giancarlo Rocca's red-label Barbaresco leads a stellar set of releases from this estate -- all the more impressive as this is just the second vintage of Gaia-Principe, though the first in which all the fruit comes from 30- to 40-year-old vines the Rocca family rents in that MGA. The wine stands out for its seamless texture, purity of fruit, and complex undertones of tar, tobacco leaf, and subtle spice. Long, lively, and energetic, this is delicious today and offers excellent aging potential.
Entirely from Gaia Principe, the 2020 Barbaresco (Red Label) is a bit more fruit-forward and rounded, with more purity than the rest of the wines from Ronchi, and a ripe cherry, raspberry liqueur, and floral personality. Attractive in this youthful stage, it has a lot of charm. Drink it over the next 10 -12 years. 93+pts
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