Nicolas Belfrage: Again a very deep colour, deeper if anything than the 1997, almost opaque. Perche? A Parker-monster of a wine, concentratissimo, ricchissimo, reflecting little of Nebbiolo or of the vintage. Tannins, fruit and oak are all massive. An icon, not for drinking. Interesting to see it again in ten years, but hard to see how it will ever metamorphose into a beautiful butterfly. 14

Simon Larkin : Again, aromatics here suggest strained fruit and vanillin. The palate has little fleshy appeal, instead heading towards a mouth-drying fruit and oak concoction. The overriding impression here is undeniably one of overworked fruit and extensive oak elevage. The flavours of Barolo cannot even be coaxed out of this example. I would prefer to drink sooner rather than later (if at all). 11.5