Tenute Cisa Asinari Marchesi di Gresy "Gaiun Martinenga" Riserva Barbaresco DOCG 2020
(Piedmont, Italy) - [DM 96] [WA 96] [VM 95] [JS 95] [WS 94] [JD 93]

About the Winery:
Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy (often simply referred to as Marchesi di Grésy) is a well-regarded wine producer located just east of Alba, in Piedmont, northwestern Italy. Its central winery is based in Martinenga, in the heart of the Barbaresco winemaking region, and it is most famous for its wines made under the Barbaresco DOCG. The estate has been in the possession of the di Grésy family since 1797, and began producing wines in 1973.

The estate boasts four key vineyards from Langhe to Monferrato: Martinenga in Barbaresco, Monte Aribaldo in Treiso and La Serra and Monte Colombo in Cassine.

The 24-hectare (59-acre) Martinenga vineyard yields three different Barbaresco wines from different parts of the vineyard: Martinenga, Camp Gros Martinenga and Gaiun Martinenga. Approximately half of the vineyard is planted to Nebbiolo, with the remainder planted to Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Barbera and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Monte Aribaldo vineyard covers 10 hectares (25 acres) of land and is planted with Dolcetto, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. La Serra in the Monferrato region is planted with 11 hectares (27 acres) of Moscato and Barbera to make Moscato d'Asti and Barbera d'Asti wines.

The small Monte Colombo vineyard is planted with a combination of Merlot and Barbera d'Asti. In 1982, the estate expanded its output further to include a series of six grappas.

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Decanter:
"The second vintage declared as a Riserva, 2020 is just beautiful, demonstrating all the elegance that sets this site apart. Seductive truffle, lavender and pine permeate the red berry backdrop. It's weightless in feel with mineral depths and thrilling mid-palate tension. The wood is masterfully integrated, melding seamlessly into the fine-grained tannins. Beneath the Asili hill in the Martinega MGA, Gaiun enjoys a southern exposure. A harmoniously and precisely sculpted delectable work of art. Drinking Window: 2026-2038." -Michaela Morris (Nov 2024)

96 Points - Wine Advocate:
"A little more robust and richer on the finish, the Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Gaiun Martinenga offers aromas of cooked cherry and plum. This wine offers a darker fruit profile compared to the others, and it also shows greater structural support. There is a firm, mineral note of iron or rust that should dissolve beautifully as this wine continues its bottle aging. Production is 8,000 bottles. Drinking Window: 2026-2045." -Monica Larner (Jan 2025)

95 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Martinenga Gaiun is gorgeous. Deep, ample and creamy, the 2022 possesses notable depth and fine balance. This is an especially open-knit, expressive young Gaiun. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. Red cherry fruit, star anise, blood orange, mint and spice open gradually in the glass. The 2020 spent two years in French oak. There's a bit less new wood impact here than in the past, which works well. (Drink between 2025-2036)" -Antonio Galloni (Oct 2024)

95 Points - James Suckling:
"A graceful wine focused on sweet violets, strawberries, cinnamon and leesy savoriness. Medium-bodied with ripe, velvety tannins and crisp, integrated acidity. The long, almost salty, finish is full of juiciness and vibrancy. Drink or hold." (Jan 2025)

94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This is broad, with its cherry, plum, earth, menthol and spice flavors riding a wave of refined tannins. There's a little heat in the balance and a rigid finish, with fine dimension and a beam of fruit poking through in the end. Best from 2027 through 2043. 667 cases made." -Bruce Sanderson (Mar 2025)

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Pouring a jeweled red color, the 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Gaiun Martinenga is expressive with detailed purity and shows off notes of fresh fennel, vibrant ripe cranberries, fresh thyme, and pressed roses. It keeps a medium-bodied frame, although has a bit more richness, with a plushness to the tannins and refined notes of leather on the finish. It’s a very nice Riserva to drink over the coming 15 years. (Drink between 2025-2040)" -Audrey Frick (May 2025)