BB | Ruby to lively pink. Complex, herbal, if still slightly closed nose, with red cherries, cranberries, star anise, crushed stones, and hints of smoke. Medium-to-full-bodied and vinous, with sweet red fruit, super-fine tannins, and a long, weightless finish. 94
AJ | Bright, clear, garnet; mid-hued for this tasting. Sweet and warm, with a washday-fresh note to it—lemon and lanolin behind the just-ripe cherry. A herbal touch also, a whiff of rue—as so often in this tasting. Special and unique. The palate has ample, soft fruit and very pronounced herbal notes... though as I type this I am wondering whether these notes are in fact soil-related or variety-related, rather than biotope-related (of course these are all inseparable); anyway, "herbal" is how they present to me. Deliciously balanced, with fresh acidity; characterful and haunting. Lavender and rue on the finish. Perhaps a little bit less subtle than the very best of its peers, but a compelling wine nonetheless. 90
MP | An exceptionally floral nose, with notes of wild rose, hawthorn, hyacinth, peony, and Parma violet. On the palate, this is joined by passionfruit, cranberry, strawberry, and cedar. The tannins dominate the finish—a criticism of so many wines from Nerello Mascalese that have seen too much oak. Already developed, and showing some tertiary notes of cooked fruit and tobacco, the tannins are unlikely to soften appreciably. 87