In the glass
Aroma: graphite, licorice, red currant, dried cherry, violet
Palate: red fruit, mineral, spice
The most austere and powerful of Gaja's Barbaresco crus, Sori San Lorenzo shows graphite, licorice and dried cherry over firm youthful tannin and a refreshing acid spine.
What it pairs with
-
Wild boar stew
Gamey richness meets the cru's austere structure and savoury depth. -
Porcini risotto
Mushroom earth resonates with the wine's graphite and forest-floor notes. -
Aged Castelmagno
Salt and umami sharpen the red-currant lift.
How to serve Gaja Sori San Lorenzo
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Wild boar stew, Porcini risotto, Aged Castelmagno. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Sori San Lorenzo, from a parcel below the church of San Lorenzo in Alba, was Gaja's first single-vineyard Barbaresco, debuting with the 1967 vintage.
- 1967 — First single-vineyard Sori San Lorenzo vintage
- 2013 — Returned to Barbaresco DOCG label
Facts
- Producer
- Gaja
- Grapes
- Nebbiolo (100%)
- Classification
- Barbaresco DOCG
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 600 to 1200 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10 to 40 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1967
Scores
- James Suckling 98 (2021 vintage, reviewed 2024)
Frequently asked about Gaja Sori San Lorenzo
What does Gaja Sori San Lorenzo taste like?
On the nose, graphite, licorice, red currant, dried cherry, violet. On the palate, red fruit, mineral, spice. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The most austere and powerful of Gaja's Barbaresco crus, Sori San Lorenzo shows graphite, licorice and dried cherry over firm youthful tannin and a refreshing acid spine.
When should I drink Gaja Sori San Lorenzo?
Drink 10 to 40 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Gaja Sori San Lorenzo?
Wild boar stew is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Porcini risotto and Aged Castelmagno. Gamey richness meets the cru's austere structure and savoury depth.
What grapes are in Gaja Sori San Lorenzo?
The blend is Nebbiolo (100%). The wine is classified as Barbaresco DOCG.