Posted By Joel on July 21, 2009

Gaja Magari 2006, Toscana IGT

Magàri is one of those Italian words that has several meanings:

“I wish !”, “if only..”, “maybe / perhaps”.

“Of course !”, “you wish !” or “you bet !!!”.

All are pretty fair translations.

But magàri’s specific meaning is really defined by situation - one needs context to truly understand.

I don’t know for sure if Gaja was being ironic in naming his wine Magari. But I do find a certain irony in the imagined question, “Can you Really make a wine of classic Bordeaux blend that uniquely reflects Bolgheri terrior and the spirit of Tuscany?”

After tasting Gaja’s Magari 2006, I can only imagine the resounding answer: “Magàri !!!”, context = “You bet !!!”

The legendary Angelo Gaja began thinking of branching out beyond his native Piemonte during the 1990’s. Two areas of Tuscany - Montalcino and Bolgheri - areas especially well known for their high quality reds, eventually became home to Gaja winemaking ventures.

Bolgheri is home to Ca’Marcanda, the estate that produces Gaja’s sumptuous IGT Toscana named Magari. In a way characteristic of other Gaja wines, Magari is deliberately made as an IGT wine, thus allowing the maestro to determine varietals and blend unfettered by DOC disciplinare regulations.

Although Gaja represents 4 generations of Piemontese winemaking, he came to Tuscany as a “learner”, not a “teacher”, translating generations of Piedmont winemaking experience to realize unique and optimal results with the Tuscan terroirs.

Magari is a blend of 50% Merlot and 25% each of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, grown on the Ca’Marcanda estate from vines averaging 10+ years old. Vinyards uniquely reflect a combination of dark and lighter soils - “terre brune” and “terre blanche”, respectively - featuring loamy clay (darker soil) and stones, pebbles, and limestone (lighter soil). Fermentation is carried out separately by varietal with blending taking place during the January / February following harvest . Maturation takes place in a combination of new and slightly used barriques for 18 months, followed by at least 6 months of bottle ageing.

Tasting Notes / Impressions:

Blueberry hues swirl and twist around a core of rich looking, deep garnet color, an almost visual language of the wine’s elegant, plush and rounded character. Sensuously ripe, plummy-cassis fruit and spice on the nose, plums continue through on the palate with alternating rushes of raspberry, espresso and chocolate. Good minerality and acidity, perfectly integrated oak, with classy tannins seductively cloaked by the wine’s soft, round personality. Finishes long and smooth, without a rasp or hard edge in sight.

Food Pairing Suggestions:

Meats: filet mignon, thick steaks, roast beef or rib roast (served with creamed spinach and mascarpone mashed potato !), grilled duck breast; roast or grilled lamb; guinea hen roasted with grapes and raisins; Pasta: try agnolotti or ravioli stuffed with spinach / chard and ricotta; Sushi, oil rich fish like tuna, salmon, eel; ALSO TRY this wine with Beijing Duck !!!

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Categories: $$$ ($50+ ), Bolgheri, Tuscany, Uncategorized, Wine
Tags: Merlot, Sauvignon