Gaja Gaia & Rey Langhe 2023

Gaia & Rey is the pioneering Chardonnay from Gaja, named after Angelo Gaja's daughter Gaia and his mother Clotilde Rey, and made in the Langhe hills of Piedmont in northern Italy. The vineyards sit at altitude on the calcareous marl soils of the Langhe, and that combination of elevation, cool nights and limestone gives the Chardonnay both ripeness and a firm line of acidity. The wine is fermented and aged in French oak barriques of 225 litres. Barrel fermentation binds the oak to the fruit and adds vanilla, spice and a toasted character, while ageing on the lees in barrel, with periodic stirring, builds a creamy, rounded texture through the release of mannoproteins. Malolactic fermentation softens the malic acidity into a broader, buttery feel that is balanced by the natural freshness the altitude preserves. The colour is bright gold. The nose is layered, with white peach and pear over hazelnut, vanilla, honey and toasted bread. The palate is full and creamy, with ripe stone fruit, a fine oak-spice frame and a long, mineral finish held together by firm acidity. Serve at 11 to 13 degrees in a large glass.