In recent years the barrique-aged Pietradonice, a blend of 90% Cabernet and 10% Sangiovese from vines planted at Castelnuovo dell’Abate has become one of the region’s most promising Cabernet-based wines. The 2003 vintage was exceptionally hot and although this wine shows attractive super-ripe dark fruit intermingled with notes of cassis, it is penalized by the hard tannins of fruit that did not reach full phenolic ripeness. The vines are young, however, and there is much to look forward to here. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2019. Importer: Dalla Terra, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-5405