WTN: 2000 Gaja Barbaresco

[geo t.]

2000 Gaja Barbaresco D.O.C.G., 14% alc.: This ruby garnet colored beauty is "fifteen years from drinkability," according to Vince Falzone (of Paterno Wines International), who rightly describes it as "so primary," but after three and a half hours in a decanter, it's actually approachable. The nose is all about sweet oak over dried cherry, black cherry and hints of chocolate; one person describes the bouquet as "candy." Deep, dark and fairly dense, the flavors echo with added notes of tar, licorice and underbrush, along with deceptively silky tannins and zippy acidity that almost give it a peppery quality. The same taster exclaimed "It doesn't need food, I can sip this alone," but in fact, it made a fine match for the veal medallions (with mushroom pate, served in a raisin port reduction, along with eggplant puree with zucchini flowers), despite its youth. Powerful, yet elegant and refined, this great wine deserves to sleep for a long time, in order for that greatness to become fully realized.

- from Wines of Gaja at La Dolce Vita, Tasting Notes from the Underground

Reporting from Day-twah,

geo t.