The great challenge: The Great Blazon "Bolgheri Rosso Superiore Ca' Marcanda" Ca' Marcanda Gaja against "Bolgheri Rosso Superiore Millepassi" Donnaolimpia and "Bolgheri Rosso Superiore L'Alberello" Grattamaco

Bolgheri Rosso Superiore Ca' Marcanda Gaja

Bolgheri Rosso Ca'Marcanda is an integral part of the great wine-growing experience of Angelo Gaja, the author of wines that have revolutionised the concept of territorial marketing with high-profile products of Piedmontese oenology. From Gaja's desire to invest in the terroir of the Bolgheri coast, in Tuscany, Ca'Marcanda was born, a 100-hectare vineyard estate taken over by the former owners after a long negotiation (hence the name, which in Piedmontese dialect means "haggling").

With the construction of the imposing new cellar, Gaja wanted to set his project within a framework of harmony with nature, using only materials found during excavations. The construction of the new Ca'Marcanda cellar was entirely directed by architect Giovanni Bo, a long-standing collaborator of Angelo Gaja, who was able to assign a profoundly distinctive identity to the new Tuscan project.

For the Bolgheri wines of Ca'Marcanda, Gaja chose to respect the more traditional characteristics of local viticulture, with the typical Bordeaux blends that have long distinguished the area: the approach in the vineyard and in the cellar succeeds in combining high quality with slightly larger quantities of wine than Gaja has done elsewhere in the past. The Bolgheri Rosso Ca'Marcanda is the absolute symbol of the winery and hence bears its name: composed of 50% Merlot and the remainder of a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the Bolgheri Ca'Marcanda is a wine of great consistency and intense layered aromas, cloaked in a subtle softness conferred by skilful ageing in barriques.

Colour Intense ruby red

Aroma Hints of red fruits and wild berries, with a roasted background of coffee and spicy incense

Taste Very balanced, with tannins in evidence for softness.

Denomination: Bolgheri DOC

Grape varieties: Merlot 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Cabernet Franc 10%.

Bolgheri Rosso Superiore Millepassi Donnaolimpia

VINE: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot

SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS

Brilliant, very intense garnet red colour with slight violet reflections. Nose clean, intense, broad with notes of small fruits (blueberry, blackberry), spices (cinnamon, pepper) and cocoa. Full, harmonious, warm taste with persistent, spicy finish. A wine of great stuff, long-lived and very drinkable; keep it in the dark and at cellar temperature to appreciate its evolution in the years to come.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME

Millepassi is produced from the vineyards located in Bolgheri at Migliarini, the place name originates from "milium" a Roman itinerary measure, corresponding to a thousand steps (m 1480), and was attributed to the estate because it was crossed by the ancient Via Emilia.

"Bolgheri Rosso Superiore L'Alberello" Grattamaco

Elegance and finesse of Bolgheri

This Bolgheri Superiore is a typical Bordeaux blend, elegant and robust, opulent and intense. Grapes grown using the ancient 'settonce' system with Alberello shape. It has a complex structure and extraordinarily ripe and silky tannins. Notes of blackcurrants and blackberries. Dominant hints of leather and coffee. Eclectic and full of character on the palate.

WINEMAKING

A wine from a 2-hectare vineyard where the vines are trained using the alberello system, so that each vine is at an equal distance from the surrounding vines. The wine is produced organically on sandy clay soil with a moderate limestone content. The characteristic training of the vines and the strict thinning of the grapes stipulate a maximum production of 1 kg of grapes per branch. Harvesting and any other operations on the vines are carried out by hand. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in truncated conical wooden vats, followed by 18 months of ageing in French barriques with a further 12 months in the bottle.

COLOUR: Dark garnet red

GRAPE VARIETIES: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Cabernet Franc