2014 Sperss
By Gaja
2014 Sperss from Gaja, Piedmont, Italy
The 2014 Sperss from Gaja crafts a tale of nature's whim and a testament to human intervention. Angelo Gaja, unofficial ambassador for fine wines from Italy, has expressed his unerring genius in this fascinating vintage. Despite the challenges brought by the year's climatic conditions, he has managed to coax captivating complexities from the Nebbiolo grape that many could only dream of.
Turning Adversity into Advantage
The 2014 vintage was challenging in Piedmont with a cool summer and abundant rainfall; such circumstances would typically yield limited results. Yet, in expert hands of Gaja, this vintage has transcended expectations. What resulted is a wine exuding layered sophistication and an intriguingly paradoxical blend of robust structure and supple playfulness—a clear reflection of Gaja's ability to adapt and innovate.
Sperss showcases a bright cherry core wrapped in a cloak of sweet spices and licorice. As the glass breathes, hints of wild herbs and wet-earth aromas signal its eminent complexity; a complexity that unfolds on the palate with finessed tannins interlaced with vibrant acidity while dancing on an opulent stage of dark berries.
Navigating the Vicissitudes of Vintage Variation
Such a vintage ascribes the sole responsibility on the producer to manage not just the grape but the year's essence into a bottle. With the 2014 Sperss, Gaja has pulled back the curtains to reveal how meticulous vinification tactics can salvage a year of meteorological misfortune into a refined wine investment opportunity.
This vintage stands as one of those unpredictable turns that swerve off the beaten path to offer something unseen. This deviation demands discerning investors to proactively channel their portfolios towards such defining bottles, an investment that promises not only monetary returns but a chronicle of a unique moment in Piedmont's wine history encased in fluid ruby.
With the 2014 Sperss from Gaja, we observe an anomaly transformed into a triumph. A product that not only excites the palate but stimulates investment considerations with its unique narrative and potential repository value. Reflecting its service to both hedonistic and financial interests, this class-defying bottle emphatically asserts itself as a lustrous beacon within Italian wine investment.
Market price (SGD)
$2,990.00
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
127.86
Scores and tasting notes
This is a slightly more subdued vintage of this legendary wine, albeit just as sophisticated as past editions. The 2014 Barolo Sperss opens to gorgeous aromas of dark fruit, wet earth and white truffle. The vineyards in Serralunga d'Alba produced much less fruit than average and suffered from bouts of downy mildew during the rainy seasons. But Serralunga d'Alba fruit is also harvested late, and that extra time was important for achieving grape ripeness targets. The wine presents depth and complexity within the context of a thinner vintage. Having said that, the bouquet is spectacular.
Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate, 29 June 2018