The 2017 Barbaresco Sorì Tildìn is a tightly wound and austere wine that is going to need at least a few years to soften. Today, it is decidedly tight and lighter in body than is customary. Last year, the 2017 had more body, but it seems to have lost some of that depth since then. Nervy contours and bright acids dominate the balance today, even with considerable aeration.

The 2017 Barbaresco Sorì Tildìn is a tightly wound and austere wine that is going to need at least a few years to soften. Today, it is decidedly tight and lighter in body than is customary. Last year, the 2017 had more body, but it seems to have lost some of that depth since then. Nervy contours and bright acids dominate the balance today, even with considerable aeration.

A mix of earth, wild herb, cherry and plum flavors mine the rich texture in this intense red, which is well-balanced and lively, with a lingering aftertaste echoing the fruit and adding a mineral element. Gains polish with air. Best from 2024 through 2045

Sori Tildin is a lofty south-facing site located above another of Gaja's three single vineyards, Costa Russi. It shows delightful purity of fruit and fragrance on the nose, with lifted and fresh raspberry aromas. Although suave and velvety on the palate, there are robust and assertive tannins beneath the fruit. This has tension and gravitas, more so than Costa Russi in this vintage. Very long. Drinking Window: 2021 - 2040
Tasted by: Stephen Brook (at Barbaresco, 27 Jan 2020)
Part of Barbaresco 2017 & Barbaresco Riserva 2015: Full report

The Gaja 2017 Barbaresco Sorì Tildìn opens to a luminous ruby appearance with pretty crimson highlights. This vintage appears lighter in color and concentration compared to past editions. The bouquet delivers a purity and sharpness nonetheless, but it offers less overall fruit. It shows subtle berry tones with blue flower, aniseed and candied orange peel. This very young Sorì Tildìn takes time to open, and it remains on the nervous side even after it has been given ample time in the glass. The best course of action is to wait until the 10-year mark before opening this bottle. It needs that extra time to soften and flesh out. ML