Dark ruby red. Blackberry, with lots of fresh herb and meat character. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and loads of fresh fruit and tarragon. Dill flavors on the finish. Textbook Sassicaia that grows in the mouth. Give it a little more time.--1997 Italian blind retrospective. Best after 2009. Wine Spectator

As you may well be aware, 1997 was a superb year for the Super Tuscans with perfect growing conditions and this is undoubtedly one of the greatest wines which has been made at the estate. In September 1997, a key month in terms of the style of the vintage, there was no rain and the harvest was able to begin in mid-September with bottling following in October 1999 after 20 months in barrel - relatively early on both counts. The wine has a lovely deep, opaque colour with a bright crimson edge. On the nose, spicy new wood lies over ripe cassis and plum fruit with a hint of coffee. Lovely soft, ultra ripe blackcurrant flavours flood the palate, with a good knit of oak and spice, but the purity and fleshiness of the fruit is overriding. With exposure to air, leafy and smoky notes start to develop. Rich, supple and velvety, yet elegant, the structure is perfect and the tannins very fine. The pure, fresh fruit flavours come through on the lingering finish with a lifting acidity.Drinking 2005-2030.As you may well be aware, 1997 was a superb year for the ¿Super Tuscans¿ with perfect growing conditions and this is undoubtedly one of the greatest wines which has been made at the estate. In September 1997, a key month in terms of the style of the vintage, there was no rain and the harvest was able to begin in mid-September with bottling following in October 1999 after 20 months in barrel - relatively early on both counts. The wine has a lovely deep, opaque colour with a bright crimson edge. On the nose, spicy new wood lies over ripe cassis and plum fruit with a hint of coffee. Lovely soft, ultra ripe blackcurrant flavours flood the palate, with a good knit of oak and spice, but the purity and fleshiness of the fruit is overriding. With exposure to air, leafy and smoky notes start to develop. Rich, supple and velvety, yet elegant, the structure is perfect and the tannins very fine. The pure, fresh fruit flavours come through on the lingering finish with a lifting acidity.Drinking 2005-2030.