The flavor calls to mind the sunshine of the Langhe hills; the bouquet is reminiscent of spice, tobacco, cinnamon and ripe fruit, with undertones of very fine wood. Color is garnet red, lively and intense, with slightly orange hues, but it is on the palate this wine fully reveals its magnitude, character and complexity: velvety, round, with soft tannins, well balanced components and remarkable persistence, it confirms the bouquets subtly spicy vein, with notes of liquorice and vanilla.

Deep red. Superripe but reticent aromas of redcurrant, gunflint, mocha and humus. Very sweet, full and dense but very closed today. Lovely insinuating vinosity. Quite classic, especially in light of the extreme ripeness of the '97 vintage. Offers more stuffing and dimension than La Serra. Finishes very long and subtle, with the thoroughly buffered but substantial tannins hitting the palate quite late.

Rating: 89/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 137 on Oct-01

Rating for Italy-Piedmont: 93 (slightly better than average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: young, aging quickly, could be good now<br/>