Angelo Gaja’s father bought grapes for his Barolo from this Serralunga vineyard until 1961 when the Gaja family decided to produce wines only from estate-owned vineyards. It was with great pride and a bit of emotion that Gaja resumed producing Barolo when they acquired this vineyard in 1988. Reflecting the decades-long wait, the wine was named Sperss, Piedmontese for ”nostalgia.”

Rating

Robert Parker 95 points (Oct 2006) More muscular than the Conteisa, the dark and brooding 2001 Sperss displays much Serralunga character in its complex nose of tar, licorice, underbrush and new oak. Superbly well-balanced, it offers tremendous length and purity in its sweet dark fruit, plum, prune and cassis flavors, closing with a very long, fresh finish. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2031.  Wine Spectator 93 points (Oct 31 2005) Superclean, with raspberry, plum and cedar aromas and flavors. Just a hint of vanilla. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. Very fine indeed. Stylish. Best after 2008. 2,800 cases made. –JS

Other text

The Gaja family acquired the 30-acre Sperss vineyard in 1988. The vineyard is located in the Marenca-Rivette area in the commune of Serralunga in the Barolo production zone. The word sperss is the Piedmontese term for ”nostalgia.” It refers this particular vineyard site from which they had purchased grapes until 1961 when they stopped purchasing grapes and began producing wines exclusively from their own vineyards.