2003 Gaja Promis

[VouvrayHead]

$40
This is a very nice bottle of wine.
I know Gaja may not always live up to his price point, but this guy is worth the money (more than I usually spend, but cheap for Gaja)
Decanted 1 hour.

I think maybe the most winning aspect of this wine is the nose... Just beautiful deep fruit... plums and cherries with a touch of cedar, all really nicely represented. It's just super-pleasant to smell.
These flavors follow in the mouth, though the plum is less prevalent, giving way to a strong cassis element. The mouthfeel is exquisite and makes me think I don't drink enough merlot. It's 55% merlot, 35% syrah, and 10% sangiovese. A touch of vanilla sweetens the cedar on a long finish.

Overall, my impression is that the wine has a beautiful nose, a lovely flavor profile, and elegant balance.

I was honestly worried about being disappointed with this bottle, but it's gorgeous wine, and I would buy again at the price.