4 | Wine | Italy, 2001

"I prefer the 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Oro with the gold label, however, very elegant in its aromas and flavors of cranberries and raspberries, tobacco, and violets, vigorous and sustained on the mid-palate and finish and with tasty, textured tannins on the close."

"The estate’s 2001 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a massive and strapping Barolo with an exciting nose of sweet ripe fruit, licorice, tar and mint. This deeply colored, masculine, full-bodied Barolo is packed with layers of dense backward dark fruit, prune, plum and macerated cherry flavors, with a distinctly mentholated note that gives it a sense of freshness and balance. It finishes with huge tannins which suggest patience will be required."

"Very ripe aromas of strawberry, licorice, minerals and truffle, with balsamic and dried floral nuances. Fat, sweet, rich and deep; at once succulent and seamless, with a wonderfully layered texture and great early appeal. Very full without coming across as weighty. The slow-building finish features substantial sweet tannins." Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"Aromas and flavors of bitter cherry, currant, fresh earth and bitter chocolate. Full-bodied, with firm tannins that provide a sturdy finish."

"Knockout nose presents a smorgasbord of ripe peach, dried apricot, vanilla, marzipan, white chocolate and dried herb aromas. Then surprisingly light and linear given the opulent aromas, with noteworthy precision to the ripe peach, citrus, herb and white chocolate flavors. Finishes very smooth and long but with an obvious alcoholic warmth. Though I'm not sure this is as successful as the great Vin Santos made here in '97 or '98, this is still excellent, and its nose alone merits 95 points."