With 13.5% alcohol, costing under $15 back then, and scoring 18+ points on the Dionysian 20-point scale, the 1978 Ceretto Barolo Brunate, bottle number 8,611, at 39 years old, it was superb.

It had lots of sediment while decanting, was smooth, with a medium weight body, a very long aftertaste, and continued to develop for a full hour after serving. Europe is now making too many of their newer wines trying to suit the “American” taste, and they just don’t mature as well any longer. South America may be the place to buy wines that can age well. In Vino Veritas.