Petit Verdot, which has some difficulty ripening at Bordeaux latitudes and is used strictly as a blending grape in the Gironde, matures well in central Italy, as evidenced by the 2001 Petit Verdot, deep in color and with the characteristic black fruit, ink, and mineral notes on the nose and palate. The variety, like most blending grapes, yields wines of only medium complexity, but the structure is solid and well sustained. Drink: 2005-2010. No known American importer.