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August Rare and Fine Wine(#42) 04/08/2020 6:00 PM NZST CLOSED

Lot 110 of 281: (1) 1997 Gaja Sperss Langhe, Piedmont

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Lot closed - unsold

Estimate: $450 - $550

August Rare and Fine Wine(#42) 04/08/2020 6:00 PM NZST CLOSED

Description

Description:

(1) 1997 Gaja Sperss Langhe, Piedmont (TS) (STOL) RP99

A virtually perfect effort is the 1997 Sperss, which represents the essence of truffles, earth, and black cherries in its striking aromatics and multidimensional, opulent, full-bodied palate. The acidity seems low because of the huge glycerin levels and prodigious concentration of fruit, but I suspect it is normal in the scheme of oenological measurement.

Sperss is a term affectionately used to denote nostalgia for precious things lost with time – a homage to the origins of the winery and the generations who built it. When the Gaja family decided to stop acquiring fruit from outside growers and bottle only estate-grown grapes, in 1961, it was a bold and difficult move. It would help to ensure a high standard of quality, but it also meant that for the first time in the winery’s history, they would not be able to produce a Barolo. In 1988, nearly three decades after that fateful decision was made, the GAJA winery purchased a 30-acre farm in Serralunga d’Alba and rechristened it Sperss RP

"Angelo Gaja is a man in a hurry. He walks quickly, speaks quickly. Neighbors remember him in 1961, at age 21, driving tractors on Barbaresco's country roads like they were sports cars. But Gaja feels he had no choice but to move rapidly; when he began working at his family's winery that year, he saw that Italy had fallen behind.

Gaja's studies of enology taught him that winemaking and grapegrowing in Barolo and Barbaresco were woefully old-fashioned. Living in London and learning English revealed the image of Italian wines in a harsh light: cheap plonk sold only in Italian restaurants.

Back home in Piedmont, Gaja cut yields dramatically in his vineyards, and he stopped buying grapes, slashing production in favor of high quality ripe fruit. He experimented with French grapes, hoping to grab foreigners' attention so they'd be open to trying his Nebbiolo. With the help of his winemaker, Guido Rivella, Gaja installed stainless-steel tanks for temperature-controlled fermentations. They shortened the length of the maceration, taming Nebbiolo's tannins. And they experimented with aging in French oak barriques, working to soften the wines….”https://www.winespectator.com/anniversary/leaders/id/Angelo-Gaja

Purpose built underground cellar.

Categories: Italy
Collection Information

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CONDITION OF WINE

Goods are described as accurately as can be ascertained by The Wine Auction Room at the time, however Buyers of older wine must make appropriate allowances for natural variations of ullage and the condition of corks and labels. The Wine Auction Room has made every effort to describe any bottle that is not in excellent condition. Each Lot is sold by the Vendor with all faults and defects (if any) and with all errors of description and shall be at the Buyer’s risk on the fall of the hammer and neither The Wine Auction Room nor the Vendor shall be accountable for any deficiency, damage or loss which may arise thereafter.

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Ratings

We have used ratings from a number of well-known wine writers. RP (RobertParker.com), WS (Wine Spectator), ST (Stephen Tanzer), JS (James Suckling), AG (Antonio Galloni), TA (Tim Atkin MW), JH (James Halliday), JO (Jeremy Oliver), HH (Huon Hooke) , JCL (Jeannie Cho Lee MW), BC (Bob Campbell MW) and BH (Burghound) scores are out of 100. JR (Jancis Robinson MW) and D (Decanter) are scores out of 20.

Descriptions

Ullage is the term that refers to the gap between the bottom of the cork and the fill level of the wine. All wines are listed in the catalogue have Ullage level “IN into neck” or higher. If the level is lower, it is stated in the catalogue.

TS (Top Shoulder)          A good level in any wine 20 years or older.

US (Upper Shoulder)       Indicates slight natural reduction through easing of the cork and evaporation through the capsule

MS (Mid Shoulder)        Indicates some weakening of the cork and therefore some risk. This is not unusual in wines over 50 years old and estimates will take this into account.

LMS (Low Mid Shoulder)           indicates high risk and will attract low estimates.

OC                               Original Carton

OPB                             Original Presentation Box

OWC                            Original Wooden Case

IN                                Into Neck

TS                                 Top Shoulder Fill

US                                Upper Shoulder Fill

MS                               Mid Shoulder Fill

LS                                 Low Shoulder Fill

TC                                Torn Capsule

OX                               Oxidised Capsule

NC                               No Capsule

CC                                Corroded Capsule

RL                                Replacement Label

FL                                 Faded Label

TL                                 Tattered Label

TOL                              Torn Label

STOL                             Slightly Torn Label

HSL                               Heavily Stained Label

BSL                               Bin Stained Label

TSL                               Tissue Stained Label

SOL                              Soiled Label

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