Sperss is arguably Gaja’s most famous wine from Barolo. All of the fruit comes from Serralunga d’Alba, predominately the Marenca MGA with a little bit of Rivette. The 1996 Sperss was somewhat controversial as it became the first vintage (in a string of 17 vintages) that Gaja decided to blend in a small amount of co-fermented Barbera. This move required them to label the wine “Langhe Nebbiolo” instead of Barolo.
Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service, enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1996 pours a deep garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with faint staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with notes of Morello cherry, tar, truffle, licorice, dried flowers, gravelly earth and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long. This came across remarkably young. Drink now with patience through 2066.
Sperss is arguably Gaja’s most famous wine from Barolo. All of the fruit comes from Serralunga d’Alba, predominately the Marenca MGA with a little bit of Rivette. The 1996 Sperss was somewhat controversial as it became the first vintage (in a string of 17 vintages) that Gaja decided to blend in a small amount of co-fermented Barbera. This move required them to label the wine “Langhe Nebbiolo” instead of Barolo.
Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service, enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1996 pours a deep garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with faint staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with notes of Morello cherry, tar, truffle, licorice, dried flowers, gravelly earth and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long. This came across remarkably young. Drink now with patience through 2066.
Aug 23rd, 2026
Quite tense and grippy. Plum and black cherry, a hint of licorice and a steely spine. Young still. Hard to judge but beautifully balanced components
Quite tense and grippy. Plum and black cherry, a hint of licorice and a steely spine. Young still. Hard to judge but beautifully balanced components
Mar 1st, 2024
Time, vineyard and winemaking come together beautifully enjoy now and for another solid decade plus
Time, vineyard and winemaking come together beautifully enjoy now and for another solid decade plus
Jan 5th, 2019
Very good, long finish
Still not so focused yet(I hope yet), but truly it everything to become a great wine in 5 to 10 years
Needs food now🧐
Very good, long finish
Still not so focused yet(I hope yet), but truly it everything to become a great wine in 5 to 10 years
Needs food now🧐
Dec 14th, 2018
Superb nose, palate and finish. Still young. Wonderful sous bois and great complexity
Superb nose, palate and finish. Still young. Wonderful sous bois and great complexity
Oct 9th, 2017
Taut, pristine, focused with red fruit, dusty earth, and roses. This needs at least a few more years
Taut, pristine, focused with red fruit, dusty earth, and roses. This needs at least a few more years
Sep 23rd, 2017
My favorite out of the lineup. Showing amazing fruit but with the toughest structure of all Gaja's wines. This has longevity. Huge presence and length on the palate already. Drank w/ Gaia Gaja at Four Seasons Hotel, Austin.
My favorite out of the lineup. Showing amazing fruit but with the toughest structure of all Gaja's wines. This has longevity. Huge presence and length on the palate already. Drank w/ Gaia Gaja at Four Seasons Hotel, Austin.
Aug 13th, 2017
Langhe, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
