(2003) This has a huge, spicy, exotic nose of incense and camphor, with cherry fruit and a deep damson and blueberry core. It has a rich, silky mouthfeel, with sweet oak tannins and bitter-edged cherry fruit. There's a supporting depth of ripe oaky flavours and good acidity. Perhaps lacks a touch of flesh on the mid-palate, but very impressive.
(2003) A Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It has a sweet-fruited nose, with lots cedar and woodsmoke, tobacco and a nice suggestion of bloody, animal character. Quite perfumed, with a little hint of violet. It has a good, fleshy mouthfeel, with soft, yielding character from silky tannins and expansive acidity. Good flesh on the mid-palate, and a long finish.
(2003) A little treat served at dinner in the excellent Scrigno del Duomo restaurant, this 46-year-old Vin Santo is one of a handful of bottles that remain in the cellars. It has a nose of fig, raisins and caramel, with a certain leafiness of stewed tea. It is medium-sweet on the palate, with soft flavours of brown sugar and raisins, and a sweet burnt caramel and walnut character like an old Amontillado Sherry. Sweetness shows through in the finish, with hints of chocolate and honey. Lovely stuff.
(2001) Aromatic, crisp and clean nose of gentle peach and pear fruit with a pleasant edge of something green-beany and vegetal. Very cool, it has classy melon and pear fruit on the palate and a limpid, pure quality. Rich texture, but plenty of clean citrus acidity into a long finish.
(2001) Quite pungent, aromatic fruit here, suggestion of really sweet peach. Weighty palate, with ripe fruity flavours, quite powerful, with hints of nutty complexity and good length.
