A modern Barolo that is very bright, lively and concentrated, a gorgeous wine with layers of plush violet-tinged blackberry, raspberry and plum flavors, hinting at tar and nutmeg on the finish. Well-integrated tannins and an element of sweet oak make this drinkable now.

Consistently one of the reference points for Italian wines Angelo Gaja has fashioned some spectacular new releases.Gaja's long-time dream of owning vineyards in Barolo has finally been realized. No one who loves his wines will be disappointed with his first two Barolo releases. Moreover by Gaja's standards even the price is palatable. The 1988 Barolo-Sperss exhibits a deep color tremendous extraction of fruit and soft acids and tannins. It is a backward unevolved potentially exceptional wine. Tightly packed full-bodied and muscular its wonderful tar rose and black-cherry-scented nose is just beginning to emerge. Drink it between 1995-2010.