This was a pre-Parson Il Palazzone, back when Mario Bollag (now Terralsole) owned the property. Dick (Parson) invested a lot into Il Palazzone after 2000 and the estate’s reputation today is largely known under his stuardship.
Poured into a decanter about 2 1/2 hours prior to service to remove sediment and give this 28-year old some air. In the glass, the 1996 pours a deep garnet with a brown tinge and a near opaque core. Medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous, with some VA and notes of desiccated, red and black fruit: Morello cherries, strawberries, brambles, figs, along with leather, porcini, forest floor, espresso, and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium, and the body is medium. White this freshened up with air (recommended), it is clearly in the sunset of its life. That being said, it has plenty of stories to tell. Drink now with a decant. — a year ago
Deep Ruby color with berry fruit, fragrant spice and earthy cedar notes. On the palate flavors of ripe cherry, plum, leather and cacao with notes of floral spice. Fine soft tannins, long finish ending with fruit, tobacco and cedar wrapped in an earthy herb mineral spice character. Drinking well. — 9 months ago
Forest floor and rosemary on the nose. Soft dark cherries on the palate and tobacco. Some eucalyptus on the after taste. — 8 years ago
Deep Ruby color with berry fruit, fragrant spice and earthy cedar notes. On the palate flavors of ripe cherry, plum, leather and cacao with notes of floral spice. Fine soft tannins, long finish ending with fruit, tobacco and cedar wrapped in an earthy herb mineral spice character. Drinking well. — 8 months ago
Oh this one is good — 9 years ago
Angelo Casagrande
Medium bodied, tannins are there but soft and integrated; cherries and a touch of sweetness on the tongue. Pleasant enough, but I found it a bit thin. More minerally than fruity. Good, but I was expecting a bit more. — 3 hours ago