Planted in 1978 in the heart of the Barbaresco village, Darmagi (Cabernet Sauvignon) proves that the Langhe region can produce excellent wine from international grape varieties.
The wine is full of grace and elegance. The purity of the 'Cabernet Sauvignon' character is fantastic: with aromas of black currants, bell peppers, licorice, violets, black plums, nutmeg, graphite, and cedar. The wine is dense, with soft tannins, and long-lived.
The wine is made from the separate Darmagi vineyard, which was planted by Giovanni Gaja, Angelo Gaja's father, and named after it. Darmagi means "What a pity" in the Piedmontese dialect. Giovanni immortalized and demonstrated the power and potential of other grape varieties than Nebbiolo in the Piedmont land with this wine. The vineyard grows at 280 meters above sea level, with a southern exposure.
Wine fermentation, maceration, and 24 months of aging were carried out in oak barrels. The wine is unfiltered.
Residual sugar content in wine: 1.51 g/l.
Acidity level: 5.65 g/l.
Sulfite content: 84 mg/l.
Serve at 16-18 °C with beef steaks, meat stews with mushrooms, grilled game sausages and long-aged cheeses.
"The purity of character of the Cabernet Sauvignon is fantastic, with blackcurrant, iodine, gunpowder and some violet. It's medium-bodied with fresh, ultra-fine tannins that melt into the wine. So much grace and beauty."
The Gaja family settled in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy in the mid-17th century. They have been producing wine in the Barbaresco area since 1859. Four generations of dedicated work and a noble pursuit of making top-quality wines have made the Gaja name synonymous with Italian winemaking excellence worldwide. Today, the fifth generation – Gaia, Giovanni, and Rossana Gaja – continues the family traditions, leading this legendary winery.
Currently, Gaja in Piedmont produces both classic expressions of the ‘Nebbiolo’ grape – Barbarescos and Barolos – and innovative “Langhe DOC” red and white wines from international grape varieties. The family also owns two estates in Tuscany: “Ca’Marcanda” in Bolgheri, famous for its “Super Tuscan” wines, and “Pieve S. Restituta” in the Montalcino area, producing “Brunello di Montalcino” wines. Additionally, a joint project with Alberto Graci in Sicily, at the foot of Mount Etna, testifies to the family’s constant pursuit of innovation and quality.
The Gaja family firmly believes that the true spirit and quality of wine are born in the vineyards themselves. Therefore, the greatest attention is paid to vineyard care: searching for climate change-resistant clones, limiting yields, growing other crops between vineyard rows to enrich the soil and help retain moisture and protect the harvest from heat. The highest quality standards are applied to all farms: grapes are grown only in family-owned vineyards, adhering to ecological and sustainability principles, with particular attention to soil quality and biodiversity.
Wine Style
Gaja wines are characterized by elegance, complexity, and perfectly reflect the terroir of their origin regions.
Prestigious Vineyards
The Gaja family owns prestigious vineyards in the Piedmont and Tuscany regions:
Aging and Consumption Period
Gaja wines are characterized by an excellent balance, allowing them to be enjoyed both young and mature. They have immense potential to age and develop over time, revealing new nuances of their character.
