critic reviews
The 2022 Barbaresco Costa Russi is a bomb. A burst of dark red/purplish fruit wrapped up by soft contours announces an important wine, one of the very finest of this challenging harvest. Lavender, rose petal, mint, spice and licorice add layers of nuance, but it is the wine's balance that stands out most. Exceptional.
The Gaja 2022 Barbaresco Costa Russi shows a pronounced floral element with violets and lilac that give this wine a special sense of finesse and grace. This is the fundamental character of Costa Russi (as compared to the mineral-driven Sori Tildin and the more powerful Sori San Lorenzo), and it shines through even in a robust vintage such as this. The heat and the sunshine of 2022 has ripened aromas of blue currant and plum; however, the Costa Russi remains incredibly fine-tuned and delicate throughout.