The 1999 Barolo shows the quality of the vintage – this is very good juice indeed for purchased grapes. A solid, vibrant garnet with a powerful tarry, wild cherry, and rose petal nose, it is forceful and ripe in flavor, ample and deep with significant length and textural density and can be drunk from 2005 to 2018. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900

Cherry and leather mark the nose, while the flavors are dominated by very sweet-seeming fruit—kirsch and vanilla accented by peppery spice. High acids, but tannins are very soft and supple, making the wine approachable now. Drink or hold until 2010. ——W.E.(4/2/2004)—— 89