1997 Castello di Fonterutoli, Siepi, Tuscany, Italy

Tasted vs Tignanello ’97 and far better. Plum, raisins, tobacco, black currant, liqueur and a very open fruit core – but still very lively and with plenty of juicy fruit to balance these primary notes. Siepi handles the liqueur components much better than other ’97 Tuscan wines as the level of fruit and nerve is much higher to balance. The taste has the Merlot softness and “chocolate tannins”, but has the structure to balance. Recent TNs has suggest “drink up” on this wine and I agree on the primary notes have come very much forward; however I see no fruit tiredness in the wine. Whatever plan or future this wine may bring, it can certainly provide great drinking pleasure at this stage. (94)

Mon 17 Apr, 2006