Neb Vinous Gaja Dinner

Keens Steakhouse, NYC
Tasted Tuesday, March 31, 2026 by kenv with 28 views

Introduction

A group of Neb Heads (most of them from the Nebbiolo group formed through the Vinous forum) met to check out ten wines from the Gaja Winery.

My first time at Keens. Classic, old-fashioned steakhouse. Dark wood everywhere. The food was very good.

Photos and more details can be found on my website.

Flight 1 - Starter (1 Note)

1988 Lanson Champagne Brut Vintage Collection 89 Points

France, Champagne

[Pop and pour.] Big yeasty, lemon custard nose. Bright and tart. The acidity is too high for me.

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Flight 2 - Flight 1: Barbaresco Classico (2 Notes)

Iceberg Lettuce Wedge Salad

1982 Gaja Barbaresco Flawed

Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

[Double decanted around 10am.] Cherries and bark mulch nose. Sour cherries. Long and complex, but something just isn't right. Mildly corked?

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2013 Gaja Barbaresco 94 Points

Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

[Double decanted for one hour around 8am, then slow-o from 11:30 to 3:30.] Red fruit and spice in the nose. Long and complex with loads of sweet cherry fruit. A beautiful wine with plenty of years ahead.

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Flight 3 - Flight 2: Sorì San Lorenzo (2 Notes)

1989 Gaja Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo 97 Points

Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

[Double decanted for two hours around 3:30pm.] Gorgeous nose of black cherries, tar and violets. Wow! So harmonious and balanced. Long finish of cherries and cocoa.

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2001 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sorì San Lorenzo 95 Points

Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

[Double decanted around 2pm.] Bright red fruit in the nose. Rich cherries. Long finish of cherries and graphite. Long life ahead.

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Flight 4 - Flight 3: 1982 Single-Vineyard Barbarescos (3 Notes)

Prime Porterhouse for Two (shared with Ben).
Shared sides: Sauteed Spinach, Hand-Cut French Fries.

1982 Gaja Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo 96 Points

Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

[Double decanted for two hours around 3:30pm.] Black fruit and tar in the nose., Rich and complex with lots of bright cherries.

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1982 Gaja Barbaresco Sorì Tildìn 97 Points

Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

[Double decanted around 2:30pm.] Red and black fruit. Rich, silky, long and complex. Terrific.

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1982 Gaja Barbaresco Costa Russi 93 Points

Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

[Double decanted for two hours around 3:30pm.] Black fruit and sandalwood nose. Rich, long, but with a tartness that I find less appealing.

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Flight 5 - Flight 4: Sperss (3 Notes)

1989 Gaja Barolo Sperss 93 Points

Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

[Double decanted around 10am.] Big black fruit. Silky up fruit, but tart on the finish. I thought this would show better.

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1997 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sperss 93 Points

Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

[Double decanted around 1pm.] Big, black, floral nose. Silky. The most extracted wine of the night. Tart.

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2004 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sperss 95 Points

Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

[Double decanted for a half hour around 2pm, then slow-o until 5:30.] Muted nose of black fruit, cocoa, and tar. Dense black fruit. Great structure. Should be a stunning wine in 10-15 years. 95-97

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