There are only five barrels of the 2005 Piantonaia, which is hillside Merlot aged in 100% new French oak. This is a perfumed, delicate wine with an attractive and inviting plumpness to its fruit. It remains quite fresh and primary, with prominent notes of toasted oak that require further bottle age to incorporate into the wine. I actually preferred the 2005 to the 2004, which is from a much stronger vintage, at least on paper. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. Father and son team Jurij and Vittorio Fiore make wines of much distinction at their small winery. The property is located in the hills of Greve, right next to neighbors Querciabella. Their top wine is Il Carbonaione, a 100% Sangiovese (from the Lamole clone) aged predominantly in small French oak barrels which has a track record of aging very well, even in smaller vintages. A forthcoming article in the Italy Report section of www.erobertparker.com will explore past vintages of Il Carbonaione in more detail. A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620