2022 Gaja Ca’Marcanda Bolgheri Rosso DOC Tuscany

A smoky wine with graphite, licorice, restrained cassis and leather on the nose. Full-bodied and firm in tannins, with a velvety texture, supple fruit, chewy acidity and an integrated, structured finish. Drink or hold.

95 points jamessuckling.com

Gaja Ca’Marcanda Bolgheri Rosso DOC from Tuscany is a beautifully crafted Super Tuscan that reflects both the coastal elegance of Bolgheri and the precision that has made the Gaja name legendary. Produced at Angelo Gaja’s Ca’Marcanda estate in Castagneto Carducci, this wine embodies balance, complexity and refined power — a seamless blend of international varieties expressed through Tuscan soil and Mediterranean light.

The wine is composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc adding depth and aromatic lift. The vineyards lie on the famed Bolgheri terraces, where a mix of clay, sand and stones gives structure, warmth and minerality. After hand harvesting, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel before being aged for about 18 months in French oak barriques and then further refined in bottle. This careful approach creates a wine that is polished yet expressive of place.

In the glass it shows deep ruby colour with crimson reflections. The nose opens with aromas of blackberry, cassis, violet and graphite, layered with cedar, tobacco and Mediterranean herbs. On the palate it is full bodied yet beautifully balanced, with rich dark fruit, spice and savoury earth framed by fine tannins and bright acidity. The finish is long and harmonious, echoing with notes of blackcurrant, mocha and mineral. It’s a wine that speaks both of Bolgheri’s coastal power and Gaja’s signature elegance.

Gaja Ca’Marcanda Bolgheri Rosso DOC pairs superbly with grilled steak, lamb, venison, or aged pecorino. It also complements truffle dishes, roasted vegetables and hearty pasta. While alluring now, it will reward cellaring for 10 to 15 years, gaining further complexity and silkiness with age.