2024 Gaja Rossj-Bass Chardonnay, Piedmont

The perfect introduction to the Gaja white style. Elegant, vibrant, and impeccable, blending Chardonnay with a touch of Sauvignon Blanc.

94 points Orazio Campoli

From the Langhe hills of Piedmont, Gaja’s Rossj Bass has become one of Italy’s most recognisable Chardonnays, a wine that blends Burgundian inspiration with unmistakable Italian character. Angelo Gaja has long been a visionary, elevating Piedmont onto the world stage, and Rossj Bass, named after his daughter Rossana, reflects that pursuit of precision, texture and site expression.

The 2024 release shows both generosity and control. Bright straw with a golden sheen, the aromatics are layered and expressive, ripe peach, citrus and pear unfolding alongside hints of tropical fruit, almond and a gentle touch of spice. There is a subtle mineral edge that keeps everything grounded.

The palate is beautifully textural, stone fruit and citrus carried over a creamy, seamless frame. Oak is finely integrated, adding a touch of toast and hazelnut, while a line of fresh acidity keeps the wine balanced and focused. It finishes long and polished, with both fruit and savoury notes lingering.

This is a wine that really shines with food. Think roast chicken, veal with lemon, or richer seafood dishes where its texture can hold its own. It also pairs beautifully with dishes that bring in herbs and a touch of spice.

Drinking beautifully now, though it will evolve over six to ten years, gaining more nutty, honeyed complexity.

There is a quiet confidence here, a Chardonnay that bridges regions and styles, offering both richness and precision in equal measure.