The 1997 Barbaresco-La Spinetta Vigneto Starderi boasts a dark plum/purple color in addition to full body, great fruit, concentration, and power, but it is firm and closed compared to its siblings. There is plenty of potential, but this wine needs 4-5 years of cellaring. It should keep for two decades.A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411

Dark ruby red. Loads of Christmas cake, dried fruits and cream character. Full-bodied, with big and chewy tannins and loads of toasty oak, coffee and fruit on the finish. Just starting to come around. Give it a little more time.--1997 Italian blind retrospective. Best after 2010. 915 cases made. -JS