1996 Ornellaia, Ornellaia IGT, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy

I think it has been about three years since I last tasted this wine. Back then a quit violent wine with rough edges, strong tannins and never a real crowd pleaser. Now a much more balanced wine, having benefited from cellaring and has entered its drinking window. Blackcurrant, cigar box, chocolate and liquorice emerging from the glass along with a refined strawberry perfume. Had this wine been served in a blind tasting, I would have guessed Pauillac. Taste is well founded with mouth coating blackcurrant and well defined closing. On the last drops there is a little sign of bitterness. A nice wine for sure, and still if Bolgheri is an International grape zone, I had a naïve hope to find some warm blooded Italian spirit. (93)