In the 1940s and 1950s, Gaja’s top Barbaresco was the Vecchia Riserva (“old reserve”), a selection of the best lots that were given long aging in barrel. Since no vintage appeared on the label, one can never be sure whether a given bottle is from the 1940s or 1950s, but it is believed its production ended around 1956.

As was the practice at the time for top wines, the Vecchia Riserva could spend as long as a decade in a traditional Slavonian oak botte, developing the haunting perfume and rich texture that belong to extended botte-aged Nebbiolo alone.

Of course, in order to thrive for so long in wood, the wine had to have unusual concentration of fruit, which is exactly what the Gaja Vecchia Riserva had in spades.

We've drunk several bottles of Vecchia Reserva over the years and have consistently found it to be a great bottle of old Barbaresco, its condition belying its antiquity.

This wine offers a unique perspective on the best of Langhe winemaking as it was 60 to 75 years ago.