The Gaja family, headed by the legendary Angelo, have made fabulous wines in 2006 and with the release of Sperss and Conteisa,the set is now complete.

2006 has produced prodigious, classic wines that are built to last and yet show a level of ripeness and friendliness far beyond that achieved in earlier “classic” vintages such as 1996 or 1999. The consensus among the experts is that Barolo has proved particularly triumphant in 2006 and therefore there is considerable excitement at the advent of Sperss and Conteisa, without question two of the most highly regarded wines in the appellation, and already critically acclaimed by the influential Wine Advocate and the renowned US critic Stephen Tanzer.

Only one vintage of Sperss has ever scored higher (the 1997 scoring 99 points) while Conteisa equals the rating of the brilliant 2004.

“The 2006 Barolos are big, powerful wines the best of which reveal extraordinary balance as well as significant potential to improve in bottle” Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate

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“The first thing I noticed about the 2006 Langhe Sperss is the finish, which literally lasts an eternity.It, too, is more overtly structured, powerful and less fruit-forward than the 2007, but its focus and drive are commendable. The wine seems to hover on the palate with an ethereal expression of dark fruit, smoke, licorice, tar and menthol, all of which are backed up with substantial heft and sheer muscle.This is a marvelous effort from Gaja and will appeal most to readers with a preference for sturdy, ageworthy wines. Anticipated maturity: 2021-2041.” 97 points, Antonio Galloni, erobertparker.com

“Deep red with ruby highlights. The nose shows distinctly blacker fruits than the Conteisa, along with medicinal licorice and marzipan notes. Extremelytight and primary in the mouth, suggesting terrific intensity of flavor and brooding power, then explodes with fruit on the long, firmly structured aftertaste. This wine, from compact marne and calcaire soil, has grip of steel and would appear to be built for a glorious evolution in bottle.” 95 points, Stephen Tanzer

£595 per 6 IB Buy

“The 2006 Langhe Conteisa is a beautifully firm, transparent wine endowed with expressive red fruits, menthol, flowers and licorice. The 2006 is decidedly more reticent than the 2007, but it shows tons of harmony, length and class. The finish is utterly seductive. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026." 94 points, Antonio Galloni, erobertparker.com

“Medium red, less saturated than Gaja’s wines from Barbaresco. Highly complex nose offers dark chocolate, truffle, minerals and flowers, along with a slight suggestion of dried fruits. Rich and deep but tightly wound; less floral in the mouth today than the examples from Barbaresco. The long, sweet finish mounts slowly, but today the wine’s serious tannins are keeping the fruit under wraps. This is 0.8% highigher in alcohol than the Barbaresco wines, notes Gaja.” 93 points, Stephen Tanzer