The word Costa indicates the side of a hill, while Russi was the nickname of the sharecropper who worked in the vineyard. Costa Russi has a particularly fascinating and intriguing bouquet. Elegant and smooth from its early age, it is a full-bodied wine, with a great tannin structure and length and high ageing potential.
"The 2013 Barbaresco Costa Russi is a celebration of vineyard site. In the past, this wine was blended with 5% Barbera, but this is no longer the case starting now. For the first time in recent memory, we are tasting a pure expression of Nebbiolo as harvested from the rows of vines in the Costa Russi cru, located directly below Sorì Tildìn at the base of the Barbaresco village. The vines are over 65-years-old and are planted in limestone clay and marl soils. Costa Russi is known for delicate, light-bodied wines that exhibit floral aromas of rose hip and lavender, as well as darker fruit tones at the back. Those qualities are beautifully evident in this vintage. The mouthfeel is characterised by a firm sense of tannic structure that is common to all of Gaja's new releases in the 2013 vintage." - Monica Lancer
The 2011 Costa Russi delivers youthfulness and brightness with bold cherry fruit flavors, cassis, spice and mild cola. The wine excels in in the mouth where it shows a great degree of roundness and suppleness. Costa Russi is Nebbiolo with a tiny addition of Barbera. Drink: 2018-2038.
The 2007 Langhe Costa Russi combines richness and focus to a degree that has seldom been seen here. This insanely beautiful wine boasts a breathtaking bouquet, explosive, generous fruit and an absolutely eternal finish. Layers of dark red fruit, minerals, flowers and spices saturate every corner of the palate as this mind-blowing Costa Russi struts its stuff. This is a towering effort from Angelo Gaja. The wine should be accessible fairly early and age for decades. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2037.
The 1999 Costa Russi, penetrating, intense, and spicy with notes of saddle leather and chocolate, is ripe, round, and fresh in flavor with the customary elegance and satin of tannins which have long distinguished it. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2017.
