The 2009 Cortona Syrah Il Bosco offers all the plush softness you want from the grape (Syrah) and the place (Tuscany). This is a true beauty with lingering notes of cured meat, dark berry and balsam herb that grow in intensity and momentum as the wine warms in the glass. The mouthfeel is richly textured and dense with an excellent level of extraction and long persistency to match. Il Bosco should hold well for the next decade.

The 2007 Syrah Il Bosco is marvelously focused and centered in its dark red fruit. With time in the glass, layers of tobacco, earthiness and minerals emerge, adding complexity nuance and pedigree. The long, perfumed finish is exceptionally elegant within the context of a fairly powerful style. New oak adds considerable volume, richness and also an element of sweetness that needs time to integrate. Still, it is a sublime, beautiful wine of exquisite finesse. This is a fabulous effort from D’Alessandro. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027. It is hard to believe the huge jump in quality this venerable estate has undergone in just the last few years. Luca Currado of Vietti has instilled a Piedmontese sense of discipline that entails greater attention in the vineyards, more cleanliness in the cellar and the use of Slavonian oak casks, among other things. Vintage 2007 is the first harvest Currado and his team of coworkers followed from start to finish, and the results are hugely impressive. It certainly seems like the sky is the limit here.Importer: HERES/USA, Aldo Zaninotto; tel. (312) 953-5741

The estate’s 2006 Cortona Syrah Il Bosco is a beautiful, deep wine endowed with notable clarity and precision. Blueberry jam, spices, earthiness and subtle toasted oak emerge gently from this articulate, elegant wine. Today, the 2006 Il Bosco is still quite vibrant, but in time it should acquire greater varietal complexity. It is a terrific effort from D’Alessandro. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2021. This is a beautiful set of new wines from D’Alessandro, a venerable property in Cortona that seems to be finding an inspired level of quality under its new ownership and the winemaking team led by Luca Currado of Vietti. These 2006s were already in barrel when Currado arrived. One of the first things he did was take the wines out of barrel earlier than had been the case in previous years. Currado has purchased large casks from Gamba, the renowned Piedmontese cooper, for upcoming vintages. Needless to say, it will be quite fascinating to see the direction these wines take in coming years.Importer: Vintus LLC, Pleasantville, NJ tel. (914) 769-3000