The 2009 Madoro flows from the glass with plums, black cherries, mocha, espresso, grilled herbs and spices. Maculan has decided once again to age Madoro in French oak as opposed to steel. The result is a rich, textured sweet wine loaded with personality and class. The intensity of the fruit flows through effortlessly to the long, gracious finish. This is a fabulous showing from Maculan. The 2009 Madoro is 80% Marzemino and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak barrels, 50% new. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. This is another strong set of wines from Fausto Maculan, one of the leading lights in Veneto. My only real criticism is that the top reds are being released far too early for wines of such pedigree. These wines rank among the very best being made anywhere, but it is not surprising they remain relatively unknown considering they arrive in the marketplace too young to be fully appreciated. Sadly, there is no new release of the flagship Acininobili, but there are plenty of other great choices in this strong line-up.A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

Madoro is a red dessert wine (a 80-20 blend of Marzemino and Cabernet Sauvignon) that ages five months in French oak for savory aromas of barbecue spice, mesquite wood and crushed clove. Sweet versus sour tones appear on the close.——M.L.(12/15/2011)—— 89

The 2008 Madoro is an unusual red dessert wine made from Marzemino and Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2008 presents dark fruit layered into sweet herbs, licorice and menthol, all of which come together in a polished, port-like style. I still get a sense Maculan is trying to figure out what to do with this wine. Clearly the fruit is first-class, but Maculan has yet to equal the profound stature of the 2004, and that is largely by his choosing to consciously make a more approachable style of wine. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2018.A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

The 2007 Madoro is a delicious sweet red wine made from 80% Marzemino and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark cherries, chocolate, spices, herbs, cassis, and French oak all emerge from this sumptuous yet medium-bodied offering. A clean, refreshing finish helps balance the wine’s fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2017. A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

Maculan's 2006 Madoro is 80% Marzemina and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon that is made from dried grapes in a style similar to Recioto, Veneto's great red dessert wine, and aged in stainless steel. This is a relatively easy-going wine with attractive layers of jammy dark fruit and a long, fresh finish. Madoro is a wine in evolution. The superb 2004 was a much more ambitious wine aged in French oak, but the 2006 takes a decidedly simpler direction. It will be interesting to see what style Maculan settles on over the long-term, but his 2004 was a gift to winelovers, and I would be thrilled to see him pursue that approach again. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2011. This is another set of strong wines from one of Veneto's most inspired producers. Fausto Maculan is best known for his phenomenal dessert wines, but his dry reds merit serious consideration as well. 2005 was a cool, damp year which presented its greatest challenges to early-maturing varieties like Merlot, while the later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon had time to recuperate.A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620