Di Majo Norante Biferno Rosso 'Ramitello' 2000

Di Majo Norante Biferno Rosso 'Ramitello' 2000: This blend of Montepulciano and Aglianico has a delightfully dark, red-purple hue. Piles of fruit on the nose, with very much a summer fruit profile, led by macerated raspberries and blackberries, then black cherry. Behind the fruit there lies a layer of oak, with a tarry, smoky, high quality leather feel to it. On entry there is an abundance of fruit, which takes on a spicy character through the midpalate; underpinning it all is a seam of acidity running right through the wine, and some tannins which demonstrate a bit of grip on the finish. Lovely drinking for now and over the next couple of years. Very good. (16/4/04)