The saturated ruby/garnet-colored 1996 Barolo possesses a classic, structured, broodingly backward personality with plenty of dried herbs, leather, and cherry-like fruit. The wine is medium to full-bodied and compressed in the finish, but if the tannin melts away without significant loss of fruit, it will merit a score in the upper eighties. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2015. Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY Tel (631) 467-5907