Most impressive. Hard to tell it apart from the single-vineyard crus because it's so massive while also offering an incredibly dense texture. Shows mineral, stonelike, spicy and black currant character, while some new oak plays subtly in the background. Firm tannins on the finish.

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 offers a superb nose of licorice, cherry fruit, strawberries, flowers, and toasty scents. Ripe, dense, and lush, with an alluring, sexy personality, it is one of the more forward, generic Barbarescos Gaja has produced. Anticipated maturity: now-2011.