Ca’marcanda, Camarcanda, Bolgheri Rosso, Tuscany, Italy 2020

“The 2020 Bolgheri Rosso Camarcanda is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc in a supporting role. Showing youthful primary fruit at this young stage, the wine delivers impressive balance and fruit versus oak integration. Angelo Gaja and his team are dedicated to the pursuit of elegance in these two grape varieties that can often deliver too much power and concentration when unchecked. Timing the harvest correctly and the careful use of French oak is key to these overall results, especially with regard to the medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and the long silkiness of this age-worthy vintage.”-95WA, 2024-2040

Ca’Marcanda, GAJA’s estate in Bolgheri (Alta Maremma), was born in 1996 propelled by Angelo Gaja’s ambition to challenge himself with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.  

The search for the best terroir was possible thanks to the latest land zoning maps which pointed out the specific vine growing suitability of clayey-calcareous soils at the foot of the Metalliferous Hills. These are firm clayey soils, therefore fresh and suitable for water and mineral preservation, which slow down ripening and result in fresh and acidic wines. Eventually, the only land in that area not planted with vines was identified, and after several meetings with the previous owners, the negotiations successfully closed at the end of 1996. For this reason, the name  Ca’Marcanda derives from a Piedmontese dialect expression which can be translated as the “The House of Endless Negotiations”. This land was uncultivated and used for breeding and fruit growing; this was a unique opportunity to entirely design a winery on an untouched land, which started with the selection from the soil, to the different varieties and ultimately the cellar structure. 

GAJA’s ambition is to produce wines reflecting the characteristics of Bolgheri: balanced by a middle structure, moderate alcohol and a vibrant expression of freshness.