The 1999 San Leonardo marks the first vintage made by consulting oenologist Carlo Ferrini who took over after Giacomo Tachis. The 1998 vintage of San Leonardo was not produced. The wine is full and generous but doesn't reach the same dizzying complexity as 1990, 1995 and 1997. The vintage saw low rainfall, but the growing cycle remained on track from flowering to harvest. This edition is soft and yielding from the start with dark fruit, leather, spice and cola. It's a big picture wine painted in broad brush strokes. It does't have the fine detail of other vintages but it speaks well of the San Leonardo philosophy. It still has room for further evolution. - Monica Larner