Super smooth and supple, with very ripe fruit and tasty oak galore. This is neo-New-World juice. It has rather low acidity for Barbera, and dense dark berry and prune flavors atop a plush, round mouthfeel. Finishes a touch shorter than expected, but it’s a pleasure cruise all the way. Drink now–2005. ——M.M.(11/15/2002)—— 89

Earth dominates the nose, the tannins are still rough and the chocolate-cherry notes only appear on the medium-length finish. All in all, a disappointment from a producer from whom we have come to expect more. ——M.N.(9/1/2001)—— 82