Ca' Marcanda
(Gaja) "Camarcanda" Toscana IGT 2000
(Tuscany, Italy) 750mL - [DM 94] [WS 93] [WA 91]

About the Winery:
The story of the Gaja winery can be traced to a singular, founding purpose: to produce original wines with a sense of place which reflect the tradition and culture of those who made it. This philosophy has inspired five generations of impeccable winemaking. It started over 150 years ago when Giovanni Gaja opened a small restaurant in Barbaresco, making wine to complement the food he served. In 1859, he founded the Gaja winery, producing some of the first wine from Piedmont to be bottled and sold outside the region. 

Moving beyond his native Piedmont, Angelo Gaja was compelled to risk starting something new. Inexorably drawn by a unique piece of land and the promise of his dream – to bring his winemaking expertise to Maremma – he made the long drive from Barbaresco to Bolgheri. After purchasing his Pieve Santa Restituta property in 1994, Angelo purchased a second Tuscan property, naming it “CaMarcanda” in 1996. Located in Castagneto Carducci in Bolgheri, this land is ideal for Bordeaux varietals, allowing perfect ripening conditions to produce elegant wines suitable for aging.

The winery's flagship wine takes its name from the estate, ca'marcanda, the house of endless negotiations. The name refers to the many hours that Angelo Gaja spent convincing the property's previous owners to sell the estate vineyard that produces this wine to him. This vineyard is one of the stoniest sites of the Ca'Marcanda estate in Castegneto Carducci (Bolgheri). Its 100% terre bianche (white soils) are ideal for producing long-lived, structured wines.

About this wine: 

This is the inaugural vintage of this wine.

Vineyards: In Bolgheri, both on dark soil rich in lime and clay, and white soil full of limestone, clay and stones.

Varietal Composition: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

Appellation: Bolgheri

Winemaking method: The two varieties ferment and macerate separately for around 15 days. After 12 months of aging in oak and further 6 months in concrete vessels, they are blended and aged for several months in the bottle before being released.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"The first year that Angelo made wines at Ca'Marcanda - 2000 - was a very hot vintage, yet even after 22 years this flagship bottling is remarkably fresh and focused. From the estate's white soils, rich in limestone, clay and large stones, it has a beautiful aroma of damp earth, dried cherries and tobacco. Ripe red and black fruits and a touch of meatiness lead to tell-tale limestone tightness on the mid-palate. Integrated tannins and gum-tingling acidity frame the fruit nicely, while a long, saline finish makes this very moreish. A gastronomic and long-lived wine." - James Button (Apr 2022)

93 Points - Wine Spectator: 
"Very good indeed! Big aromas of black licorice. Almost jammy, with plum and berry character, then turns to cocoa and paprika. Full-bodied, with chewy yet refined tannins and a tight finish. Very firm yet chunky, like a Pauillac from a rich year like 1989 or 1982. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Angelo Gaja's first release of this wine. Best after 2008. 665 cases made, 130 cases imported." (Oct 2003)

91 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2000 Camarcanda is the first vintage of the top of the line wine, darker in color, riper on the nose with a bit of the plum and raisin character of the very hot 2000 vintage, alcoholic but not to excess, spicy, chocolatey, and warm in flavor, firm and fresh on the finish. 2001 is likely to be better, but this is a flying start. Drink: 2005-2016." (Aor 2004)