The 1988 Barbaresco offers the classic nose of dried cherries, herbs, cedar, and toasty oak. In the mouth, it is medium to full-bodied, with considerable tannic clout. The long finish is dominated by the wine's tannins. It should benefit from 3-4 years of cellaring and keep for 10-15. All of Gaja's 1988 Barbarescos are backward, reserved wines. Even after sitting four days with the corks pulled they exhibited no signs of oxidation. While they should be uncommonly long-lived, I did not see quite the flesh and richness possessed by such vintages as 1985 and 1982. (RP)