Gaja Barbaresco 1962

A lovely matured wine, clearly past its prime, but still very enjoyable. This smelt old, with meaty, funky, forest floor aromas at first, almost broiled tripe at points, then an uplift of herb and spice, sweet scents of wilted flowers and some cooked fruit on the background. Not bretty like the last two wines I thought, just a nice old wine funk. With time though, more of the sweeter fruit and flower petal nuances started coming to the fore. The palate was very mature as well, with mellow flavours of berries and dark cherries, and more funky dried earth and brush herb notes, all lined with fine, slightly powdery tannins and perfectly integrated acidity. There was a lovely round softness and charm, all wonderfully resolved, leading into a gentle finish, where a blush of wood spice bloomed amidst sweeter cooked fruit notes. It was neither the strongest nor the longest wine, but still certainly more than adequate. This really came alive with food too, with the flavours taking on a new vibrancy and energy over dinner. Very enjoyable indeed. (cellartracker)