Gaja Vertical Celebration

Tasted Friday, May 17, 2024 by connorpksmith with 234 views

Flight 1 - Pre Vertical (2 Notes)

  • 2015 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero 95 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    PnP for an hour. Very consistent with other notes. This was a little bit of a roller coaster, offering flashes of freshness, silkiness, and bewildering complexity, with notes of ripe strawberry and hints of dusty rose. At times, it tightened up with firm tannins. However, this has all the stuffing to be an unforgettable wine. I can't wait to try this again in 5-10 years. 94-95

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  • 2020 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero 94 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    PnP for an hour. Didn't take many notes on this. As is always with my experience with this wine, it is suave and juicy, boasting an undeniable charm. The palate offers typical strawberry notes and sweeter red fruit tones, yet it also possesses a sneaky concentration of dark red fruit, delicate spices, and herbaceous minty notes. While it may lack the vibrancy I appreciate in the '19, '17, or '16 vintages, I am truly splitting hairs at this point – this could simply be a reflection of my personal preference. Fabio's consistency in crafting the exceptional Monvigliero Cru across recent challenging vintages is a testament to his skill. 94-95

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Flight 2 - Sperss Vertical: 89, 97, 10, 16 (4 Notes)

  • 1997 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sperss 97 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

    Double decanted 4 hours before opening. The 1997 Gaja Sperss is a wine of profound depth and nuance. The bouquet is intensely aromatic, with notes of medium and darker fruits, spices, and hints of leather and tobacco. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and richly textured, with a core of black cherries and sweeter, brighter raspberries. All of this was framed by well-integrated tannins and a nice bighting fresh level of acidity, providing structure and depth to the wine. Notes of licorice, espresso, and subtle hints of truffle add layers of complexity to the wine's flavor profile. The finish is extremely long with the wine's fruit and tannins in perfect harmony. This was the WOTN for everyone. One of the best Barolos I've ever had before, and I can't wait to enjoy this again in 5-10 years! 96-97

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  • 2016 Gaja Barolo Sperss 96 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Double decanted 4 hours before opening. The '16 Gaja Sperss is an incredible wine in an exceptional vintage. The aromatics burst from the glass with layers of rose petals, white pepper, and cherries. The palate is silky smooth, Burgundian like, but also with vibrant levels of crunchy, bright raspberries with a crazy long finish with layers upon layers of truffles, and wet forest floor. This is up there with one of the best '16 Barolos I've come across. I put this a just a notch behind the incredible '97 vintage. This should age beautifully and take on more complexity with cellaring in 10+ years. 96-97

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  • 1989 Gaja Barolo Sperss 95 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Double decanted for 4 hours before enjoying over a few hours with friends. The 1989 Gaja Sperss has aged gracefully, showcasing notes of wet leather and tobacco leaves complemented by dark, smoked cherries. While a hint past its peak, the refined level of acidity and warm cinnamon spice underscore its lingering vitality. This remains an incredible Barolo, with at least 5-10 more years of enjoyment ahead. 95-96

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  • 2010 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sperss 94 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

    Double decanted 2 hours before opening. Didn't take enough detailed notes on this. The 2010 Gaja Sperss is an exceptional Barolo, but on this night it was outdone by the '89, '97, and '16 vintages. Hope to try this against other top Crus from the 2010 vintage in the future. 94

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Flight 3 - Blind Surprise (1 Note)

  • 2016 Cerbaiola (Salvioni) Brunello di Montalcino 96 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

    Pnp blind. Everyone thought this was a Barolo. This continues to be silky silky smooth and my favorite Brunello. Very similar to my previous experiences with this wine. A little crunchier red berried and grippy acidity. If you like the Burgundian silky texture in Barolo producers, such as Burlotto, you need to try this wine. 96-97

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