The 2008 Conteisa is a knock-out. It boasts the most striking inner sweetness and perfume imaginable, a quality shared by a handful of legendary Piemonte wines. Juicy red cherries, spices, hard candy and mint caress the palate in this extraordinary, breathtaking wine. The balance of aromatics, fruit, acidity and structure are simply captivating. The 2008 is of course far too young to deliver maximum pleasure, but it is impossible to miss its pedigree. This is a fabulous showing from Gaja. Conteisa is often outstanding, but the 2008 will go down as one of the great all-time vintages for this wine. Conteisa is made from Gaja's plots in the Cerequio vineyard of La Morra. Anticipated maturity: 2023-2043. Getting to the top in any field is hard. Staying at the top is even harder. For all of the praise Angelo Gaja and his family have received over the years, they have earned and deserve every bit of it. These new releases, the 2008 reds from Barolo in particular, are insanely beautiful. Importer: Terlato Wines International, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604 8900

A lean, sinewy red, whose cherry, tobacco and wild herb notes are swathed in stiff, muscular tannins. Properly aerated, this finds inner balance, with the fruit prevailing in the end. Shows fine freshness and length. Best from 2017 through 2035. 50 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Langhe Select to Add