Sperss is Gaja's great expression of Serralunga d'Alba, the corner of Barolo famous for producing some of Nebbiolo's most powerful and longest-lived wines. The 2015 is a particularly commanding rendition, combining Serralunga's iron-rich intensity and formidable tannins with the extraordinary polish that defines Gaja. Dark cherry, plum, violet, licorice, wild herbs, graphite, and iron build across a dense, structured palate, yet there is enough freshness and finesse to keep all that power remarkably composed. Jeb Dunnuck awarded it a perfect 100 points, calling it a brilliant, full-bodied Barolo with decades ahead of it.

Sperss also represents one of the most important expansions in Gaja's history. After building the family's reputation in Barbaresco, Angelo Gaja crossed the Langhe and purchased vineyards in Serralunga d'Alba in 1988. The name "Sperss" means nostalgia in the Piedmontese dialect, a fitting choice for a wine that simultaneously looked beyond the family's historic home while remaining rooted in Nebbiolo. Rather than selecting the gentler side of Barolo for his arrival, Angelo went directly to Serralunga, where compact soils and steep hills produce some of the appellation's most structured expressions.

The exceptional 2015 vintage turns that natural severity into something unusually seductive. Serralunga's muscular tannins remain unmistakable, but they are wrapped in ripe fruit and a broad, velvety texture that makes this Sperss remarkably expressive even by the wine's famously slow-aging standards. At more than a decade from harvest, it is only beginning its long evolution. Sperss is Gaja venturing beyond Barbaresco without abandoning the grape that made the family famous, proving that the same philosophy could take on an entirely different character just a few hills away.

Critical Acclaim

100 Points, Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2015 Barolo Sperss is another smoking good 2015 that shows the sunny warmth of the vintage in its massive bouquet of blackcurrants, kirsch liqueur, red plums, Asian spices, violets, and flowery incense. It reminds me of the incredible 1997, and Barolo doesn't get any more sexy or opulent. This brilliant, full-bodied wine has ripe, velvety tannins, beautiful depth of fruit, and a great finish. It needs a solid hour in a decanter if drinking any time soon and will benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age. It should drink brilliantly over the following 25-30 years." - Jeb Dunnuck, Nov. 2019

98 Points, Vinous:
"The 2015 Barolo Sperss shows all of the darkness and muscle that are so typical of Serralunga. Black cherry, plum, licorice, incense, gravel, cured meats and scorched earth infuse this potent, backward wine with tremendous character." - Antonio Galloni, Nov. 2019

Provenance Guarantee

This wine comes with an unimpeachable provenance:

• Purchased Ex Chateau En Primeur in 2017
• Stored at Dartess in Bordeaux
• Transferred to London City Bond in February 2020
• Kept in original packaging, undisturbed case

Impeccable Provenance

These wines were acquired through an approved Italian négociant. They were stored at Dartess in Bordeaux before being transferred to London City Bond in February 2020. Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a piece of Bordeaux history. With limited quantities available, these wines represent the perfect gift for the discerning oenophile or a treasured addition to any cellar.