The Gaja Costa Russi is one of Italy’s most prestigious red wines, poured from our cellar at Grappa in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. Made by the legendary Gaja family from their Costa Russi cru in Barbaresco, it is an iconic single-vineyard Nebbiolo. We pour it for guests seeking one of the true benchmarks of Piedmont.
About the Winery
Gaja is among the most famous names in Italian wine, a Piedmont family estate that helped bring international acclaim to Barbaresco. Costa Russi is one of Gaja’s three celebrated single-vineyard crus in Barbaresco and was among the earliest single-vineyard bottlings of Nebbiolo, first made in the 1967 vintage. It remains a wine of legendary stature.
Region & Grape
Costa Russi comes from a southwest-facing cru in the village of Barbaresco, in Piedmont, set on clay-calcareous marls. The name combines “costa,” for the side of the hill, with “Russi,” the nickname of a former owner. Historically Gaja included a small portion of Barbera in this cru, but from the 2013 vintage onward Costa Russi returned to 100% Nebbiolo under the Barbaresco appellation. The site is known for a lighter-bodied, especially delicate and floral expression of the grape.
Tasting Notes
Expect an abundance of strawberry and plum opening to broader notes of raspberry, red currant, pepper, and floral elderflower. The palate is graceful and finely detailed, with silky tannins, bright acidity, and an exceptionally long, perfumed finish. It is Nebbiolo at its most refined.
What to Pair It With
A wine of this stature deserves our finest plates. Pair it with our American Wagyu Steaks, the Pappardelle Bolognese, or the Roasted Lemon Chicken. Explore more on the full dine-in menu.
How It’s Served at Grappa
This cellar wine is offered by the bottle at Grappa for $650.
FAQ
Where is Gaja Costa Russi from?
It is from the Costa Russi cru in the village of Barbaresco, in Piedmont, northwest Italy, made by the legendary Gaja family.
What does Gaja Costa Russi taste like?
It shows strawberry and plum with raspberry, red currant, pepper, and floral notes, a graceful palate, silky tannins, bright acidity, and a very long, perfumed finish.
Is Gaja Costa Russi 100% Nebbiolo?
Historically Gaja included a small portion of Barbera in this cru, but from the 2013 vintage onward Costa Russi returned to 100% Nebbiolo under the Barbaresco appellation.
Ready to enjoy it with dinner? Book a table, browse the full wine list, and see the dine-in menu.
