James Suckling has awarded 94 points to Camarcanda 2016.
“Fragrant florals punctuate the nose, ranging from lavender to hyacinth, and there are hints of heather and thyme, too. Citrusy undertones abound. There’s a profundity to the center palate, which is decked out in sheets of dark fruit-flavored, muscular tannins that retain a telltale elegance, as they envelop the peripheries of the mouth. Long and mineral, this is a delightful wine now and will continue to open up as the years go by. Drink from 2023.”
Jeb Dunnuck has awarded 96 points to Camarcanda 2016.
“The 2016 Ca’Marcanda sports an almost opaque purple color as well as a heavenly bouquet of blackcurrants, smoked earth, charcoal, graphite, and tobacco. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, aged 18 months in French oak, this full-bodied, remarkably pure red has ultra-fine tannins, plenty of acidity (although it’s perfectly integrated), flawless balance, and a great, great finish. Drink this beautiful, sexy Toscana over the coming 15 years or more.”
“This is another beautiful creation from the Gaja family. The 2016 Bolgheri Rosso Camarcanda (Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc) is infinitely smooth and finely textured down to the very last pixel in what is a high-resolution panoramic photograph. The core of the wine is packed tight with an explosion of flavor and concentration with so much dark fruit, spice, tobacco and sweet tobacco that unfurls from deep inside. This wine will have a long and, I am quite sure, very happy aging future ahead. It shows utmost precision and balance, with long persistence and a beautifully polished texture. Some 22,000 bottles were made.”
“This wine is released before the Camarcanda blend. Angelo Gaja and his family have worked this vintage with a deft hand. This hot 2017 growing conditions have been harnessed for their positive attributes, such as the thickness and the dark concentration of the fruit and, consequently, the wine’s freshness. Any negative implications have been absolutely eliminated and worked through. Nothing escapes Angelo’s watchful eye. The 2017 Bolgheri Rosso Magari is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Some 78,000 bottles were produced.”
The winery’s flagship wine takes its name from the estate, Ca’ Marcanda, the house of endless negotiations.
Appellation: Bolgheri DOC
Grapes: 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Soil: Terre bianche, white stony soils, rich in calcareous clay, with drainage ideal for the cultivation of long-lived, structured wine.
Tasting notes: Complex with powerful tannic structure, dense, with an expressive mineral character. Rich fruit and nuanced aromas with a long, concentrated finish.
Magari means if only it were true!, an expression used often in Italian to express desire, hope, and a vision of a bright future.
Appellation: Bolgheri DOC
Grapes: 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc
Soil: Loam- and clay-rich terre brune,brown earth, ideal for the cultivation of wines with pronounced minerality and notes of goudron and tar.
Tasting notes: With its lush Merlot fruit and its spicy Cabernet character, Magari expresses the essence of Bolgheri, rich and well-rounded, with an elegant, silky finish.
The proprietary name Promis (pronounced proh-MEESS) was created by the Gaja family to denote commitment, expectation, fulfillment, and hope. The promise of quality and the reward of diligence and excellence. The grapes are grown in the terre brune (rich, dark soils) which consist primarily of loam and clay. The climate – hot summer days, freshened by brisk sea air and cool nights – is ideal for the grapes grown here.
Appellation: Toscana IGT
Grapes: 55% Merlot, 35% Syrah, 10% Sangiovese
Soil: Loam- and clay-rich terre brune, brown soils.
Tasting notes: A delightful wine that combines elegance and suppleness of Merlot and Syrah with the austerity of Sangiovese. Balanced and approachable in its youth with considerable aging potential (5-8 years).
The playful name of this wine was inspired by the sea breeze, sun, and cheerful and light-hearted outlook of the Tuscan coast.
The term means sea view and is often used by the coastal hoteliers to entice would-be guests, even though their rooms may only offer a limited view of the Mediterranean.
The vineyards used for Vistamare actually enjoy a panoramic view of the Tuscan horizon and their grapes are gently inebriated by the saltine air and brilliant colors of the Tuscan sea.
Appellation: Toscana IGT
Varieties: Vermentino and Viognier
Vineyards: Various estate-owned sites
Vinification: The varieties are fermented separately. Before being blended together Vermentino ages in stainless steel tanks, Viognier instead in oak casks for 6 months.
Tasting notes: The freshness of Vermentino embraces the roundness of Viognier.
Bruce Sanderson of Wine Spectatorhas awarded 93 points to Camarcanda 2016.
“Austere in aroma, this red reveals intense flavors of cherry, raspberry, rose and mineral. Firmly structured, yet stays on course with a laser of fruit. Vanilla and toast notes chime in on the finish. Fine balance, length and complexity. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2021 through 2033. 300 cases imported.”
James Suckling awarded 93 Points to Ca’ Marcanda Magari 2017.
“This is a pure, focused Bolgheri with bright blueberries, freshly picked blackcurrants and citrus. All the more impressively in this hot vintage, the tannins are very tightly strung, fine and grainy, while the finish is medium-long and vivacious. Great drive and composure to this medium-to full-bodied red. Drink from 2021.”
Bruce Sanderson of Wine Spectatorhas awarded 93 points to Camarcanda 2016.
“Austere in aroma, this red reveals intense flavors of cherry, raspberry, rose and mineral. Firmly structured, yet stays on course with a laser of fruit. Vanilla and toast notes chime in on the finish. Fine balance, length and complexity. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2021 through 2033. 300 cases imported.”
Monica Larner of Robert Parker Wine Advocate awarded 91+ points to Vistamare 2017.
“This is this publication’s first review for Vistamare, which has been produced since 2009. The 2017 Vistamare is a blend of 45% Vermentino, 40% Viognier and 15% Fiano. The Vermentino and Fiano are fermented in stainless steel, while the Viognier goes into wood—some with lees aging and some not, to avoid it being too heavy and fat. The vines are shaded, thanks to the leafy canopy (with a view of the sea in Bibbona, hence the name “vistamare”), to keep the fruit cool and to preserve the acidity. The 2017 vintage shows concentrated freshness with Mediterranean notes of mint and sage.”
James Sucklingawarded 93 points to Ca’ Marcanda Promis 2017.
“This is an inviting, colorful red with tea-tree oil, blueberries, violets and lavender. Hints of fresh herbs. Taut, fluid and zesty, it is finely sliced into grippy portions of tannins that sandwich elegant flavors of dark fruit interlaced with carefully tuned acidity. Drink now or hold.”
Jeb Dunnuck has awarded 90 points to Vistamare 2016.
“A blend of 60% Vermentino and 40% Viognier, the 2016 Vistamare offers outstanding notes of white peach, citrus blossom, and a hint of citrus rind. It fleshes out nicely on the palate with medium-bodied richness, solid mid-palate depth, juicy acidity and a clean finish.”
James Suckling has awarded 94 points to Camarcanda 2016.
“Fragrant florals punctuate the nose, ranging from lavender to hyacinth, and there are hints of heather and thyme, too. Citrusy undertones abound. There’s a profundity to the center palate, which is decked out in sheets of dark fruit-flavored, muscular tannins that retain a telltale elegance, as they envelop the peripheries of the mouth. Long and mineral, this is a delightful wine now and will continue to open up as the years go by. Drink from 2023.”
Monica Larner of