Wines Bolgheri Gaja - Camarcanda - 2015

Viniou Reviews

The 2015 Gaja Ca’Marcanda Bolgheri DOC is a compelling red blend from the illustrious Tuscan coast, demonstrating both power and finesse unique to its terroir. This wine, a product of the renowned Gaja estate, typically features an assemblage of international grape varieties, often including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, which thrive in the Bolgheri microclimate. The 2015 vintage benefited from a long, warm growing season, ensuring optimal ripeness and concentration of flavours. The wine undergoes meticulous vinification, with careful extraction and ageing in quality oak barrels, resulting in a deep garnet colour and a bouquet of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, tobacco, Mediterranean herbs, and hints of graphite and sweet spice. The palate is structured yet velvety, marked by well-integrated tannins, a vibrant acidity, and a lingering, complex finish.

Bolgheri, nestled in the southern part of Tuscany near the Tyrrhenian Sea, is a region celebrated for its innovative approach and international grapes. The area’s maritime climate, with its temperate breezes and significant diurnal temperature variation, along with its gravelly, well-drained soils, create ideal conditions for the maturation of Bordeaux varietals. Bolgheri’s rise to fame is relatively recent, driven by visionary producers and the celebrated “Super Tuscan” movement. The DOC status ensures a standard of excellence, and the wines frequently exhibit both the richness of new-world reds and the balanced elegance of old-world tradition.

For food pairings, this Bolgheri red’s intensity and complexity call for equally flavourful dishes. It will harmonise beautifully with Tuscan classics such as bistecca alla fiorentina (Florentine steak), wild boar ragù, or grilled lamb chops with rosemary. Aged pecorino or matured parmesan cheese also complement its depth, as do hearty, herb-inflected bean stews or roasted game. Mediterranean-inspired dishes, featuring roasted aubergines, peppers, or tomatoes, will amplify the wine’s herbal notes.

For optimal enjoyment, decant the wine at least an hour before serving to allow its aromatic layers to unfold fully. Serve at 16-18°C to appreciate its bouquet and balance between freshness and structure. This 2015 vintage is enjoyable now but possesses ageing potential; cellaring for a further 5-8 years could reveal even greater nuance and harmony.