This Veneto red is glorious and rich yet sophisticated. Dark ruby color it emits aromas of raisins and berries and hints of cocoa and spice. It's full-bodied with chewy yet velvety tannins and a long long finish. Best after 2001. 11000 cases made.

An outstanding effort is the 1997 Palazzo della Torre. This dark ruby/purple-colored wine is full-bodied dense with Rhone-like beef blood and garrigue (that blend of earth and dried Provencal herbs) scents intertwined with copious quantities of black cherry and currant fruit. Rich chewy and impressive it was aged in large 2000 and 8000 liter Slavonian wood foudres. Drink it over the next decade.