2020 Barolo Sperss

Very spiced with deep, dark earth and forest aromas of black truffles, bark, mushrooms, licorice and iodine. Full-bodied and very reserved, with a linear and racy palate that goes on for minutes. Gunpowder highlights to the dark fruit and forest floor character. Structured. Try after 2028. (08/2024)

The 2020 Barolo Sperss is a bright red color and reveals an incredibly floral profile of rose petals and ripe strawberries. Aromatically light on its feet, with a joyous feel, on the palate the structure is more focused and compact, with mineral undertones that weave through with more a defined nature. It needs more time, but this is a fantastic red to drink over the coming 30 years. (05/2024)

Reduced aromas are earthy, with flashes of cherry and raspberry fruit. The flavors are fresh and lively, with fine precision and a tightly wound structure boosting the notes of cherry, raspberry, iron, tobacco and underbrush. The excellent length on the mineral-infused finish indicates this wine's future potential. Best from 2029 through 2050. 400 cases imported.

- Bruce Sanderson (11/2024)

Showing the power and the contoured definition that is typical of Serralunga d'Alba, the Gaja 2020 Barolo Sperss is a wine of greater brawn and intensity. Yet its power remains elegantly in line with the character of the vintage that is ultimately more subdued compared to 2019 or the upcoming 2021. It offers a complete photograph of its territory with rusty ferrous notes, orange peel, dark fruit and licorice. There is a fun end note of dark Amarena cherry to conclude. That hint of sweetness ties into elegantly chalky tannins.

- Monica Larner (01/2025)