Rating for Italy-Piedmont: 92 (slightly better than average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: too young, let it sit<br/>

Rating: 95/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 11/15/02

Rating: (94-96) - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 137 on Oct-01

Impressive red-ruby color. Reticent, slightly reduced nose opens quickly to show tangy spices, minerally soil tones, woodsmoke and a note of underbrush. Then juicy and vibrant in the middle palate, with a dense minerally character and the harmonious ripe acidity of the finest '98s; a velvety wine with great verve. Boasts a strong, ripe flavor of red fruit syrup and an incipient truffley perfume. The sweet fruit outlasts the substantial tannins on the long, lively finish.