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. — 2 months ago
Fun dinner wine (w/ MT CT and AL) — 3 months ago
Showing more new world in this warmer vintage. Aromas of ripe red fruits - mainly strawberries. The palate showing those ripe fruits typical of the vintage. Needs more cellar time to show its best. Expected more complexity and quality from this producer and the vineyard. Have the next bottle in 2029/2030. — 4 months ago
Pale Lemon yellow slightly with green-3. White flower. Minerals flint. Citrus Apple pear. Coriander Seeds. White pepper? Stimulation on my throat. Not bitter. Nuts
Fruitiness M Sweetness M Acidity M++ Bitterness M Body M Finish M 14%
Fresh Dry Vietti Roero Arneis 22 @1100, Fred, 260619-261029 — 5 months ago
2016 barbaresco delicious — 7 months ago
Smooth, dry, medium body, lemon accents, paired very well with linguine à la vongele. — 9 months ago
From back when their fruit from the Le Coste MGA was blended with Brunate. These days, the Le Coste fruit goes in to “Tre Tine” along with Ravera and Cannubi San Lorenzo.
Opened about two hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2001 Brunate-Le Coste pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Bing cherry, tar, roses, some varnish, cedar chest, some cool spices and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and quite round. This bottle shows the generosity of the vintage and yet, it seems to want even more time in the cellar. One can certainly drink now through 2061. — 2 months ago
Mature Dry fruit forward. Plenty of deep structure & tannin backbone… but soft on the nose & finish. Long, mature finish. A lovely wine ready to drink right now. Don’t wait… — 3 months ago
ACC w SCC — 4 months ago

Idylio by Apreda Rome — 6 months ago
Very enjoyable with deep red cherry, berry fruit, lots of savory spices, orange peel, rose petal & tobacco. — 9 months ago
More in alignment with WS review: “Cherry, raspberry, violet and mineral aromas and flavors mark this perfumed red. Racy and elegant, with defining acidity. Persistent finish. Drink now through 2028. 3,300 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.” — Bruce Sanderson… Versus WE: “Like a garden at twilight, this Barbera lifts with violets and lavender before diving into a pool of plums and boysenberries, kissed by fresh herbs. The palate mirrors this purple-fruited dance with juicy precision. Give it a slight chill and watch it become the life of the party.” — Jeff Porter. — 9 months ago
11/05/2018 — 9 years ago
Let the celebrations begin... — 13 years ago

Major-General Sir William Biddles Curran
Give my best to Davidmint, red berry, licorice, lavender, coffee and leather; bricking ready to drink now — 3 months ago
Medium ruby , medium wide garnet rim . Quite open and exuberante , lots of sweet red cherry, raspberry and touch of menthol and sweet spices, hickory . Quite sweet profile. On the palate this has nice spice and menthol hints , sweet red cherry fruit , ripe tannins , but with good grip, quite gritty with good length . Balanced acidity , touch of alcohol noticeable . Overall quite sweetly red fruit focussed , pure and expressive. This is showing quite well , though still young and fruit focused. Probably better in 3-5 years and will continue to show well over the next 10 years or so . — 6 months ago
Upon opening, the tannins were overbearing, but after a two hour decant it opened up and softened nicely, with cherry, anise, earth, violets, and roses coming through on the nose. On the palate, the anise and floral flavors shine bright, and the finish is exquisite, with the floral notes providing a vivid, persistent finish with underlying notes of spice and earth. The wine has a smooth mouthfeel, with tannins providing astringency on the finish. Such a beautiful, elegant barbaresco that paired wonderfully with tagliatelle bolognese. — 7 months ago
Flavourful easy — a year ago
Fantastic ! What a treat to drink this wine. — 12 years ago
James Barnes
Fabulous bouquet — 2 months ago