Dark ruby. The outrageous and utterly beautiful 1996 offers an alluring balsamic nose followed by generous amounts of rich dark cherry fruit intermingled with more evolved notes of tar, chocolate and menthol that emerge as the wine sits in the glass. It is massive and packed on the palate, showing layers of flavors and much personality. At the early part of what promises to be a long drinking window.

Elegant, with plenty of floral, blackberry and cherry aromas. Full-bodied, with plenty of fruit, fine tannins and a fruity finish. Best after 2003. 280 cases made. (James Sucking)

Good deep red. Deep but bright aromas of cherry syrup, spices and dried rose; hint of surmaturite Very tightly wound and less obviously sweet today than the Bric del Fiasc; rather dominated by its firm acids and tannins. But sharply delineated, spicy and very long on the firmly tannic finish. This and the Rocche will not approach their peaks for a good seven or eight years.

The dark plum/ruby-colored 1996 Barolo Cannubi reveals cherries galore intermixed with smoke, tobacco, and new saddle leather scents. This full-bodied, supple-textured, glorious Barolo possesses exceptional extract, and can be drunk now or cellared for 15-16 years. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411

The dark plum/ruby-colored 1996 Barolo Cannubi reveals cherries galore intermixed with smoke, tobacco, and new saddle leather scents. This full-bodied, supple-textured, glorious Barolo possesses exceptional extract, and can be drunk now or cellared for 15-16 years.