The Glory of Gaja: Bolgheri Collectibles Now In Stock

2017 Gaja Ca'Marcanda "Ca'Marcanda" Bolgheri (Elsewhere $170) ($129.99)

K&L Notes: The 2017 "Ca' Marcanda" from Gaja is a bold, polished blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot from the iconic Bolgheri region. The wine offers aromas of dark plum, blackberry, and Mediterranean herbs, with subtle hints of tobacco and spice.

On the palate, it is full-bodied and structured, with silky tannins and a core of ripe black fruit balanced by vibrant acidity. The finish is long and layered, featuring notes of graphite and savory herbs. A sophisticated Super Tuscan, the 2017 "Ca' Marcanda" is perfect for pairing with grilled meats, game, and aged cheeses, and has excellent aging potential.

Orazio Campoli | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 12, 2025

The flagship of the estate, this Bolgheri DOC wine is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant variety. Unlike Promis and Magari, this blend adheres to the strict Bolgheri classification, emphasizing the structured elegance of Cabernet Sauvignon. Grown in terre bianche soils, "Ca' Marcanda" is a wine of both intensity and finesse, offering layers of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, and minerality, with a seamless integration of tannins and impressive aging potential.

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Moving into a more solar vintage, the 2017 Camarcanda is expressive of generous purple flowers, menthol, and cassis. The palate is more fleshed out with compact blackberry fruit, though it remains fresh with acidity and crunchy saline. Its sweet fruit and inviting nature make for a wine with a lot of charm. Drink these now while you wait for the 2016s. Drink 2023-2040."

95-96 points Vinous: "The 2017 Camarcanda is rich and heady in the glass, with all of the natural radiance of the vintage on full display. Ripe, racy and exotic in its beauty, the 2017 is a prototypical modern Maremma red. Generous fruit, racy contours and lifted savory notes add to its considerable allure. It, too, is arresting in its beauty. The 2017 offers plenty of voluptuousness, but with no excess weight. I loved it. Production is down 40% because of the low production of the year and then severe selection."

2018 Gaja Ca'Marcanda "Ca'Marcanda" Bolgheri (Elsewhere $170) ($129.99)

K&L Notes: The 2018 "Ca' Marcanda" from Gaja is a refined and elegant blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, capturing the essence of Bolgheri’s coastal terroir.

The wine opens with aromas of blackberries, cassis, and violets, layered with notes of cedar, licorice, and Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet polished, with silky tannins and vibrant acidity balancing the ripe dark fruit flavors. The long, mineral-driven finish highlights its sophistication and aging potential. A versatile and age-worthy Super Tuscan, perfect for pairing with roasted meats, pasta with rich sauces, and hard cheeses. Enjoy now with decanting or cellar for a decade or more.

Orazio Campoli | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 12, 2025

The flagship of the estate, this Bolgheri DOC wine is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with Cabernet Sauvignon being the dominant variety. Unlike Promis and Magari, this blend follows the strict Bolgheri classification, emphasizing the structured elegance of Cabernet Sauvignon. Grown in terre bianche soils, "Ca' Marcanda" is a wine of intensity and finesse, offering layers of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, and minerality, with seamless tannin integration and excellent aging potential.

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2018 Camarcanda is lifted with medicinal herbs, balsamic, and fresh mint. It is youthful with baby fat now but is more lifted overall compared to the previous two vintages of 2017 and 2016. It offers elegant and fine tannins, with notes of black raspberry, strawberry, violets, and a long and tapered finish that is more about its stony mineral texture than the length and concentration of its fruit. Drink 2024-2044."

95 points Wine Advocate: "An 80-20 blend of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, the Ca' Marcanda 2018 Bolgheri Rosso Camarcanda is another gorgeous edition of this important wine, although this vintage does start off slower than some of the other wines in this vertical. The wine is initially shy or restrained, with earthy and herbal sensations that frame dark fruit and blackberry. However, the bouquet also proves quite fluid, and it shifts to darker plum and spice with a few quick swirls of the glass. That substantial fruit intensity holds well from start to finish."