From a warmer vintage, the 2011 Darmagi saw a slightly different elevage, spending two years in 20% new oak barrels. It’s a more evolved, upfront, perfumed wine and boasts lots of red and black currant fruits, smoked herbs, and dried earth aromas and flavors. Already drinking nicely, with chewy tannin, it lacks the elegance and purity found in the 2010 but makes up for it with sheer exuberance and character. Drink it over the coming 10-15 years

A pure expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2011 Darmagi delivers loads of varietal character with tangy aromas of wild sage and rosemary oil followed by extra dark color and saturation. There’s a deep sense of richness here that will carry this elegant wine forward throughout the years. Black cherry and chocolate fill the rear. Drink: 2017-2035. - Monica Larner

The 2011 Darmagi is quite soft and lifted in this vintage. Espresso, grilled herbs, cedar, licorice, dark cherries and plums all meld together in the glass. Supple and silky, the 2011 will drink well early, but also has enough balance to drink well for a number of years. Overall, the 2011 Darmagi is a very pretty and finessed wine that shows what is beginning to emerge as a fresher, more vibrant style at Gaja. There is a lot to like in this subtle, gracious Cabernet Sauvignon from the Gaja family. - Antonio Galloni

Opaque purple with very little variation at the rim. This is almost 100% cabernet sauvignon from the Langhe. Opens with a fury of aromas - dark chocolate, spiced herbs, red and black fruit and dense earth tones, followed by a kiss of oak and tart cherry. The palate is full bodied and has robust and dusty tannins that at this early stage still need to calm down. A bit of lift comes in on the mid palate with excellent levels of acidity and good concentration and finishes clean and powerfully. This will age easily for 20 years if not more. Give it another 3-5 years before diving in.