(18/20) Corvina 75%, Rondinella 20%, Molinara 5%. Aged in 100% new barriques. Very dark ruby with very narrow orange-tinged rim. Very elegant and at the same time rich. Much less alcoholic than 1997. Dark fruit and much less passito mouldy character than in the 1997. Hints of dark chocolate and laurel and liquorice and talcum powder. Hints of oak. Elegant, round, full attack, immediately followed by acidity and powdery, but surprisingly powerful, tannin. Ends clean but also quite restrained. Seems dry (3.7 g/l RS ) also due to tannic impression and bitter laurel impression on the finish. Needs food! (WS)

A modern style, with densely packed plum and berry on the nose, with light licorice and eucalyptus notes. Full-bodied and tight, with a core of crushed black fruit, firm tannins and a long, long minerally finish. Very closed now, but should be fantastic after a year or two. Best after 2006. 11,500 cases made. –JS