Cabernet Sauvignon Darmagi Langhe DOC 1.5L

The Darmagi is Gaja's commitment to a grape variety that was long considered a foreign body in Piedmont — Cabernet Sauvignon on the hills of the Langhe, where Nebbiolo actually reigns. The name is legendary: Angelo Gaja is said to have so horrified his father with the decision to plant the Barbaresco site Costa Russi with Cabernet that he only muttered "darmagi" — Piedmontese for "what a pity".

Gaja has been one of the defining forces in Piedmont for decades. The winery from Barbaresco stands for uncompromising quality and the courage to question classic structures. The Darmagi is released as a Langhe DOC because Cabernet Sauvignon has no place in the regulations of the great Piedmont appellations — which does not detract from the wine's substance.

In the glass, it shows the typical signature of Cabernet from cooler sites: dark cassis, cedar wood, a hint of graphite, and dried herbs. The body is dense, the tannins are firm and structured, and the finish is long with a mineral note. The magnum bottle (1.5 l) matures more slowly and evenly than the standard bottle — an advantage for a wine of this stature.

Serve it at 17–18 °C, ideally after decanting for an hour. Suitable pairings: braised lamb shank, game ragù on pappardelle, or aged Pecorino.