1995 tends to be a good rather than great vintage in Piedmont, but Gaja's sensational 1995s are among the stars of the vintage. This wine possesses extremely saturated dark ruby/purple colors, almost atypical for Nebbiolo. The 1995 Barbaresco Sori Tilden reveals a liqueur-like viscosity to its richness. It offers spicy, black raspberry fruit in addition to melted asphalt, smoke, truffle, and toast. This complex, expansive Barbaresco is deeply colored for the vintage, with superb richness, full body, and beautifully integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020+. Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (516) 467-5907

Loads of fruit on the nose, with plenty of toasted oak. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long finish, but a slightly green, woody character turns the wine a bit papery and dry. Will it come around? Best after 2004.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barbaresco Select to Add