Like Ateo, Ciacci’s 2005 Fabius (100% Syrah) is another rich, concentrated wine loaded with sweet dark fruit. The wine has a lovely, plush mouthfeel but in this vintage it doesn’t have the level of varietal expression or complexity that might allow it to merit a higher score. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2017. Proprietor Paolo Bianchini is upbeat about his 2003 Brunellos. It is the first vintage in which he had the tools to perform a cold soak, which he feels was especially critical in preserving as much freshness as possible in the wines. For the Brunellos, fermentation and maceration lasted several weeks and the wines were aged in cask. 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, Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411 and Indigenous Selections, Fort Lauderdale FL; tel. (954) 530-4021

Medium- to full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a mineral, slightly cedar undertone. Chewy. Slightly one-dimensional. Needs some bottle age to develop and open. Syrah. Best after 2010. 665 cases made, 200 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Sant'Antimo Select to Add