Angelo Gaja - Barbaresco 'Sori Tildin' 1986

Angelo Gaja – Barbaresco ‘Sori Tildin’ 1986

1. Introduction

Alongside the Sori San Lorenzo and the Costa Russi,the Barbaresco ‘Sori Tildin’ is one of Angelo Gaja’s three legendary single-vineyard Barbarescos . The name ‘Sorì Tildin’ pays homage to Clotilde Rey – Angelo Gaja’s grandmother, whose nickname was ‘Tildin’. The first bottling of this prestigious cuvée took place in 1970.

The 1986 vintage was produced at a time when Angelo Gaja had already revolutionised Piedmontese viticulture: he was one of the first to introduce ageing in small barriques, planted international grape varieties and marketed his wines as single-vineyard wines – concepts that made him Italy’s most internationally renowned winemaker.

2. Vineyard & Terroir

In the Piedmontese dialect, the name ‘Sorì’ means ‘sun-exposed hill’ – a reference to the privileged south-facing aspect, which provides the grapes with optimal ripening conditions.

3. The 1986 vintage

The 1986 vintage in Piedmont is generally regarded as solid to good. The 1986 Sori Tildin received an outstanding 93/100 points from Wine Spectator – a rating that distinguishes it as one of the best wines of the vintage.

The wine is now classifiedas Barbaresco DOCG. From the 1996 vintage onwards, Gaja decided to market its single-vineyard wines specifically as Langhe DOC – however, this decision does not yet apply to the 1986 vintage.

4. Winemaking & Ageing

The vinification followed Gaja’s modern approach, inspired by Burgundian models:

5. Tasting notes

Opinions on the 1986 Sori Tildin vary widely – a characteristic feature of wines of this age, which underlines the great importance of the wine’s ageing history.

Review by Wine Spectator (1990)

“Very rich, smooth and opulent, with generous raspberry and cherry aromas and flavours that carry through the long finish. Very fine tannins and firm acidity are neatly integrated into a silky, polished wine that is already verging on drinkability.”

Community tasting notes (CellarTracker)

Conclusion of the tastings: When well-aged, the wine displays a complex, elegant profile with aromas of cherry, truffle, leather, roses and tobacco. However, in bottles that have not been stored optimally, distinct signs of ageing such as diminishing fruit and harsh tannins may become apparent.

6. Market & Collectors’ Value

The 1986 Sori Tildin is a sought-after collector’s wine. Prices vary greatly depending on condition, provenance and bottle size:

Condition: Well-preserved bottles are ‘into neck’. Auctions often mention minor label imperfections (stains, scuffing) – which is to be expected with a wine that is almost 40 years old.

7. Conclusion

The 1986 Angelo Gaja Barbaresco ‘Sori Tildin’ is a wine with two sides: Hailed by Wine Spectator with 93 points as “rich, velvety and opulent”, in community tastings it comes across, depending on the bottle, either as “truly lovely” with notes of truffle, leather and roses or as “lean and tart” with fading fruit.

This discrepancy underlines the crucial importance of a wine’s ageing history for wines that are nearly 40 years old. For collectors and connoisseurs of top-quality Piedmontese wines, the 1986 Sori Tildin remains a fascinating piece of wine-growing history – a testament to Gaja’s revolutionary approach, which brought Nebbiolo to world fame.

Anyone lucky enough to acquire a superbly stored bottle will experience a mature Barbaresco of great elegance and complexity – provided they are prepared to approach the Nebbiolo’sdistinctive tannins with patience.