Viniou Reviews
The Gaja Sperss Barolo 2009 is a quintessential expression of Nebbiolo from one of Piedmont's most celebrated producers. This remarkable red is crafted exclusively from the Nebbiolo grape, sourced from the ‘Sperss’ vineyards near Serralunga d’Alba, an area famed for yielding structured and age-worthy wines. 2009 was a relatively warm and generous vintage in the region, resulting in a Barolo that pairs the variety’s hallmark tannic backbone and aromatic finesse with a gratifying fullness and ripe, seductive fruit. Gaja employs meticulous hand-harvesting and careful vinification, with extended maceration and ageing in small oak barrels and large casks, lending the wine both complexity and refined integration.
Barolo hails from the gently rolling hills of the Langhe, a UNESCO World Heritage site where altitude, fog, and varied soils combine to create some of Italy’s most nuanced wines. The calcareous marl and clay soils impart structure and minerality, while the climate, with hot summers and cool, misty autumns, encourages slow ripening and intricate aromatics. The Barolo denomination, steeped in royal history and affectionately known as “the king of wines and the wine of kings,” reflects centuries of dedication and innovation, with producers like Gaja at the vanguard of its renaissance.
Sperss is best enjoyed with robust culinary companions that can stand up to its power and elegance. Traditional Piemontese dishes such as brasato al Barolo (beef braised in Barolo), agnolotti del plin (handmade pasta with rich meat filling), or tajarin with truffle are exquisite matches. Mature hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano will also enhance its layers of flavour.
For the optimal tasting experience, decant the wine for at least an hour to soften its youthful grip and release the full gamut of aromas—wild cherry, rose, tar, leather and earthy truffle. Serve at a temperature between 17-18°C. This Gaja Sperss 2009, drinking beautifully now but built for further ageing, promises profound pleasure for many years ahead.
