1997 Isole Olena, Collezione De Marchi Syrah IGT, Tuscany, Italy

(Tasted blind) Very smooth fruit core – a bit neutral at first, but made its impression on the elegant side with subtle dozes of liquorice, mocha and plum. The wine is easy to drink – elegant, but too smooth on the finish line and not gripping and attacking enough to create a convincing finish. (90)

Mon 17 Apr, 2006

1997 Isole e Olena, Cepparello, Tuscany, Italy

This wine was tasted vs Tignanello 1997 and cleary won that battle. This wine is a profe of what can be achived with a 100% sangiovese IGT-wine. So much purity and a huge surplus in fruit. Also with chocolate and vanilla. (96+)

Tasted October 2003

1997 Isole e Olena, Cepparello, Tuscany, Italy

Warm plum fruit, with dark berries and chocolate. Minerals is however present, but not with the same nerve as Percarlo. Taste is beautiful velvet tannins and rich on fruit and charm. The wine has lost concentration since I tasted it the first time 1½ year ago and with the softer structure I don’t see it performing well more that 6-7 years from now. (94)

Tasted 1st of April 2005 - Era Ora

1997 Il Palazzino, Grosso Sanese, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

Ruby red. Very pure and seductive with sweet plums, vanilla, Blackcurrant and with good complexity. The taste has the purity the nose offers and has a silky finish. (92)

Fri 19 Nov, 2004

1997 I Giusti & Zanza, Perbruno, Tuscany, Italy

Light weighted, rubber, buttermilk and with sweet liquorice. Taste is a bit short; simple and a cooler tone closes the wine. The fruit impression when chewing on this wine, was that it was floral fine, but missing in depth a complexity layers. (85)

Mon 05 Dec, 2005

1997 Gorelli, Brunello di Montalcino, potazzine, Tuscany, Italy

Dark berries, liquorice, coffee and a bit shy. As the wines hits the palate and slides through and only leaving very little behind. It was like – hey where did you go. The aftertaste exist, but it’s simply too short. (88)

Mon 05 Dec, 2005

1997 Gaja, Sori Tilden, Piemonte, Italy

Almost diabolic nose with dark fruits. Not particular charming, but overwhelming with supernatural powers. If you like typical Nebbiolo with red refined fruit, then forget about Sori Tilden. It’s a mean motherf… . The taste was incredible compact , but it matched the food perfectly. We had a gigantic peace of grilled T-Bone with rosemary, garlic and grilled potatoes – one of the best meat dishes I have ever tasted.

Fri 09 Mar, 2007

1997 Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Lamaione Merlot IGT, Tuscany, Italy

Funny nose. Parsnip, cherry, rubber, tobacco, liqueur and missing in purity. Taste is alright – the lack of purity from the nose is added up, but still not enough concentration in the finish to gives the wine a real character. (89)

Mon 05 Dec, 2005