015 Alteni di Brassica – Gaja
Alteni di Brassica is Gaja’s flagship Sauvignon Blanc from the Langhe, first produced in the late 1980s and named after the yellow flowers (“brassica”) that grow between the vineyard rows. Sourced from high-elevation sites in Serralunga, the wine is fermented and aged in oak, giving it a structure and ageing potential rare for the variety in Italy. The warm, generous 2015 vintage delivered ripeness, but Gaja’s meticulous approach preserved tension and aromatic precision.
The wine opens with layered aromatics of grapefruit, lime zest and ripe peach, intertwined with elderflower, sage and a subtle smoky nuance from barrel ageing. There’s a distinct mineral edge beneath the fruit, adding depth and seriousness. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet vibrant, with concentrated citrus and stone fruit carried by bright acidity and a finely textured, almost creamy mid-palate. Notes of flint, almond and gentle spice unfold toward a long, structured finish that balances richness with lift.
This is Sauvignon Blanc in a grand, architectural register — complex, ageworthy and far removed from the variety’s more straightforward expressions.
Corked Points: 95/100
