Vintage Context: The 1965 vintage in Piedmont was generally considered a "good" or "balanced" vintage. It was rated as a "strong" bat not stellar year like 1964 or some of the legendary vintages that followed (e.g., the 1980s and later). However, unlike Bordeaux and Burgundy, which had disastrous weather that year, Italy produced valid, age-worthy wines. Lack of Specific Scores: Major critics rarely offer definitive, universal scores for this specific year. The high average scores sometimes seen on aggregate sites (like the 94/100 average on Wine-Searcher) represent a general critic average for the Gaja Barbaresco label across many modern vintages, not specifically the 1965. Qualitative Assessments from Tastings: In the rare instances this wine is tasted today, experts praise its elegance, balance, and surprising freshness, provided the individual bottle has been stored in optimal conditions. Tasting notes mention resolved, silky tannins and complex secondary/tertiary aromas of dried fruit, leather, cedar, and balsamic. Historical Significance: The 1965 is historically significant as one of the first vintages fully overseen by Angelo Gaja, who would later revolutionize Barbaresco production. Key Characteristics: Style: Savory, Classic, Concentrated, Elegant. Region: Piedmont, Italy. Producer: Angelo Gaja, a revolutionary figure in Italian wine. Grape: Nebbiolo. Production: Gaja's innovative methods included selecting top plots and using new French oak barrels, breaking from tradition. Flavor Profile (from similar aged Gaja wines/general style): Complex aromatics, hints of vanilla, tobacco, and smoke (though exact notes vary by bottle and age). Food Pairing: Lamb. Wine preserved with great care in the cellar. Shipped with special packaging for the transport of fragile bottles