1971 and 1999 vintages in Piemonte...

Let's face it... a 43 year old Barolo that has been acquired on the secondary market can be a crapshoot, but when it works it's pretty cool...

This '71 Marchese di Barolo Gia Opera Pia was in decent shape... nice aromatics upon opening the bottle... left to slow-o in situ for several hours before dinner.  Really nice acidity and very nicely balanced at 13% alc. .. the fruit is just a touch, maybe a shade, toward becoming raisin-y, but it's not obtrusive enough to walk away.... there's more here than meets the eye (or nose) at first. ... four hours later, she is gaining presence ... the wonderful faded cherry and hints of anise pairs deliciously with grilled lamb.  These old wines are definitely best appreciated with fine cuisine ... 7 hours later she is really kicking into gear, showing the greatness of the 1971 vintage, even with an average producer. 

Next to the '99 Albino Rocca Brich Ronchi (which was fully decanted),  I am continually drawn again and again to the  '71 Gia Opera Pia.  It has more complexity and more history.. what can I say, I like the older wines that have a story to tell. .. 

The Brich Ronchi is a nice, fully rounded Barbaresco. .. I am not sure it will ever be very complex.. It exhibited barnyard-y notes for the first couple of hours before blowing off and revealing tasty maturing fruit and light creosote. 

9 hours later, the Gia Opera Pia is still gaining momentum and nicely complements some Belgian chocolate.   This beauty shows no signs of fading ...