I am looking for a particular vintage of red wine which I believe is
from northern Italy.  It is very dark and has a strong oakey, smokey
smell and flavor.
It is of a vintage that was allowed to age in wood casks for its
entire life, which I understand is not allowed any longer under
Italian/EU health violations.
It also has a somwhat higher alcohol content than usual.  This wine is
not a desert wine or an apertif.  It might be a kind of barolo.

You may be thinking about the Barolo from 1964 that I think was aged
the way you describe but, unfortunately I am not an expert so consider
this a comment and not an answe.