The 2006 Langhe Sorì San Lorenzo is the most virile of these 2006 Langhes. The wine reveals terrific depth and richness in its dark fruit, smoke, tar, licorice and menthol. The authoritative Sorì San Lorenzo offers plenty of excitement and sheer pleasure in an extroverted style. The elegant finish is at once powerful and sublime. Baritone notes of tar, smoke and licorice linger on the close.

Ripe and decadent, with prune, spice and blackberry aromas. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and beautiful concentration. This shows structure, power and class. Best after 2012. 800 cases made. (James Suckling)

Good deep red. Captivating aromas of red fruits and woodsy underbrush; a real essence of nebbiolo. Then silky and suave, combining compelling sweetness of raspberry and strawberry fruit and an impression of sheer size and structure that reminds me of Barolo. Wonderfully fine-grained wine with a sweet, rising finish that perfumes the mouth. Incidentally, Gaja indicated a slight preference for the Sori Tildin in 2006.

2006 was a severe but potentially great vintage that's been slow to evolve. It's unusually deep in colour, with a rich, savoury nose showing great intensity of fruit behind the initial reticence. Although the attack is voluptuous, the extremely concentrated mid-palate remains austere because of the formidable tannins. Yet there's a core of sweet fruit emerging, as well as herbal and minty tones on the finish. No toughness here, and fine length.
Tasted by Stephen Brook (at Gaja, Barbaresco, 14 May 2018)
Part of Gaja Barbaresco crus: Costa Russi & Sorì San Lorenzo verticals

2006 was a severe but potentially great vintage that's been slow to evolve. It's unusually deep in colour, with a rich, savoury nose showing great intensity of fruit behind the initial reticence. Although the attack is voluptuous, the extremely concentrated mid-palate remains austere because of the formidable tannins. Yet there's a core of sweet fruit emerging, as well as herbal and minty tones on the finish. No toughness here, and fine length.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 31/10/2009

The 2006 Langhe Sori San Lorenzo is the most virile of these 2006 Langhes. The wine reveals terrific depth and richness in its dark fruit, smoke, tar, licorice and menthol. The authoritative Sori San Lorenzo offers plenty of excitement and sheer pleasure in an extroverted style. The elegant finish is at once powerful and sublime. Baritone notes of tar, smoke and licorice linger on the close. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.

Angelo Gaja's 2006s from Barbaresco are lovely, although they require a bit of aeration to find their focus. Tthe 2006 Barbaresco in particular is quite an achievement in this challenging vintage. As always Gaja blends in a small percentage of Barbera for his single-vineyard Langhe wines.