This is a stunning proprietary red wine offering. Powerful, concentrated, and well-endowed is the dark ruby/purple-colored 1997 Cortaccio. Aromas of sur-maturite (over-ripeness, but in a positive sense) emerge from this wine. It offers notes of espresso beans, chocolate, and jammy cassis/blackberry fruit. It is extraordinarily fat and juicy, with oodles of glycerin and concentrated fruit, full body, silky tannin, and a finish that lasts for 40+ seconds. This is a terrific example of Cortaccio. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. Importer: Fine Wines International, Rutherford, NJ; tel. (201) 935-5935

Plenty of leather, cassis, plum and tobacco aromas show on the nose of this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine. The full palate has full, dark berry Cabernet flavors and pronounced tobacco-herb-earth shadings. Has depth and character, but also shows a slightly rustic feel with full tannins, espresso flavors, herb and bell pepper notes on the finish. Best held until 2004.——W.E.(5/1/2001)—— 90