This is the first vintage made entirely by Martino Manetti. The 2001 Le Pergole Torte comes from a low-yielding vintage. On April 16, 2001, freezing temperatures blanketed the vineyards, and some 40% of the fruit was lost. This wine shows increased richness and concentration, with a black-fruit layering of dried cherry and blackberry preserves, spice, tar and licorice. The wine sports a strong mineral signature with graphite and dusty flint. During our conversation following this tasting, we remarked on the chiaroscuro appeal of this wine. It shows depth, texture and marked contrasts just like a Renaissance landscape painting. The wine reflects the tannic backbone you get in the 1999 vintage with the small berry concentration you get in 2000. To my palate, the astringency is on the bitter side, and I went down a few points in my final score as a result. The label artist Alberto Manfredi died in 2001. - Monica Larner