The product image is for illustrative purposes only and may not exactly reflect the actual characteristics of the wine. Gaja Rossj Bass Chardonnay 2016 75clDOC | Langhe | Piemonte | ItalySold outSize 75 clAll vintages 2006 2007 2008 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2021 2023 2024 Critics scores 90 Robert ParkerCrisp and luminous, the 2016 Langhe Rossj-Bass is Chardonnay enhanced with a tiny part Sauvignon Blanc. This second grape only constitutes 5% of the blend, yet its presence is felt in a big way. The wine presents pristine and sharply delineated tones of exotic fruit, peach and white rose. Fruit is sourced in Barbaresco and in Serralunga d'Alba. This wine delivers a bright spot of acidity that was shaped by the steep diurnal temperature shifts that characterized the tail end of the growing season. Much work has been achieved in the vineyards to optimize farming and to ensure that ripening does not advance too quickly or with too much alcohol. This wine will be released at the end of July 2017 and I tasted it just before bottling.<br/> Producer GajaBarbaresco would not be the same without Gaja’s iconic reputation. This venerable domaine not only drew worldwide attention to the region, but they have also shown the quality that is attainable not just with Nebbiolo, but with “outside” varieties as well. Their story started over 150 years ago, when Giovanni Gaja founded the winery in 1859 to complement the food in his restaurant. Today, the company is managed by the fourth and fifth generations, Angelo Gaja and his children. Over the years, the Gaja name has grown to represent not only exceptional quality, but unique and intriguing flavors that are unlike any others from the region. The single-vineyards are a blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera, like all the wine produced before the introduction of the DOCG denomination. This denomination was established in 1966, and it is mandatory for the wines to be 100% Nebbiolo. For this reason, he declassified most of his single-vineyard wines and took the denomination of Langhe Nebbiolo DOC instead, in order to reach the specific style he desired. Gaja currently produces a total of twelve different Piemontese wines, as well as, seven Tuscan wines from Montalcino and Bolgheri.