1998 Scrio

There are only microscopic quantities available of this wine, so I will keep my tasting notes somewhat streamlined, even though it merits a near perfect score. Le Macchiole's Scrio is the most profound Syrah being made in Italy. Unfined and unfiltered, and produced from incredibly tiny yields, the black/purple-colored 1998 offers scents of licorice, melted tar, truffles, and blackberry liqueur. Full-bodied and opulent, with high tannin but compelling sweetness, and a multilayered palate, it requires 3-4 years of cellaring, but should age for two decades. It could easily compete with some of the Rhone Valley's great Hermitages. This is a prodigious wine. It is a shame quantities are so limited. Oct 2001, www.robertparker.com

Inky ruby. A potent mix of candied fruits, caramel and vanilla on the nose. Rather extravagant on the palate, jammy from the scorching August temperatures and Mediterranean in its generosity and alcoholic warmth. Not as specifically syrah as the 1997, though.