154
156
159
GAJA SPERSS 1998 (OWC) Piedmonte.
GIACOMO ASCHERI BAROLO SORANO 2010 Piedmonte.
TENUTA DELL’ORNELLAIA LE SERRE NUOVE 2011 Tuscany. u. 4 x bn. 8 x scuffed labels
One of the things I have learned over the years is that you can count on Angelo Gaja to make a strong showing in just about any tasting. Yes, I know, Sperss is not Barolo (a small percentage of Barbera is added), but at its core the wine captures the essence of Serralunga and is as representative of these hillside vineyards as any Barolo. Dark tar, smoke, leather, spices, menthol and black cherries all make an appearance in this muscular, full-throttle wine. While the vast majority of 1998 Barolos can be enjoyed today, the 1998 Sperss could use another few years in the cellar. It isn’t a crime to open a bottle today, but this is one of the few 1998s that still has upside potential. Simply put, the 1998 Sperss is a jewel. March 2009 WA 95 1 5 ltr.
per lot $2,000 - $2,200
11 bts.
per lot $700 - $900
WA 94
157
8 bts.
BRANCAIA ILATRAIA MAREMMA TOSCANA 2010 (2) Tuscany. u. 2 x bn.
160
PIEROPAN SOAVE CLASSICO LA ROCCA 2011 (5) Veneto. DOMINI VILLAE LANTA LO ZOCCOLAIO BACCANERA 2010 (1) Piedmonte. u. ts, scuffed label 8 bts.
per lot $200 - $400
LUCE DELLA VITE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2010 Tuscany. Very powerful aromas of blackberry, fresh mushroom, iron, spice and lightly grilled meat. Full body with layers of fruit and earth character. Decadent and intense. It’s a phenomenal wine. Incredibly layered and muscular. Better than the legendary 2006? Built for aging. Better in 2018. October 2015 jamessuckling.com Only 1,667 cases made. JS 100
158
6 bts.
GAJA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO SUGARILLE PIEVE SANTA RESTITUTA 2010 Tuscany.
TENUTA DELL’ORNELLAIA LE SERRE NUOVE 2011 Tuscany. u. vts.
161
The Gaja family’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille opens to striking intensity and beauty that is apparent even as you pour the wine from the bottle. The wine’s appearance is dark and so perfectly saturated with dark garnet and ruby highlights. On the nose, it shows infinite aromas of dark fruit, plum, dried figs, licorice, grilled herbs, cola and so much more. The complexity is outstanding. The Sugarille single vineyard delivers power and structure that gives this wine such a firm presence on the palate. But you also get a great sense of the quality of fruit that was harvested in 2010. Angelo Gaja skipped the 2009 vintage. But this vintage makes up for the loss with its long aging potential. This is an amazing wine to put way at the back of your cellar for ten years or more. What a delight. February 2015 1,500 cases produced. WS 96 WA 96 JS 97
A gorgeous wine, the 2011 Bolgheri Rosso Le Serre Nuovo dell-Ornellaia (57% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot and 12% Cabernet Franc) opens with an inky dark, almost impenetrable appearance and beautifully chiseled but abundantly intense - aromas of blackberry, dried cherry, rum cake, leather, moist pipe tobacco and chewy black licorice. The balance and harmony are seductive and impressive and the wine lasts many long seconds on the palate. Noticeable tannic backbone gives us hope in its cellar potential. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. August 2013 WA 94
155
3 bts.
per lot $300 - $500
1 3 ltr.
per lot $300 - $500
per lot $500 - $700
per lot $600 - $800
LUCE DELLA VITE TENUTA LUCE DELLA VITE 2008 (OWC X 2) Tuscany. Aromas of dark berries, currants, toasted oak and chocolate. Full and velvety, with soft and silky tannins and a long delicious finish. I really appreciate the balance to this. September 2011 jamessuckling.com JS 95 2 3 ltrs.
per lot $800 - $1,000
162 LUCE DELLA VITE TENUTA LUCE DELLA VITE 2008 (OWC X 2) Tuscany. JS 95 2 3 ltrs.
per lot $800 - $1,000