Grape: 40% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot, 20% barbera

First year of production: 1981

Vineyards: two vineyards in Bevagna in cru Arquata at 250m height on clay calcareous soil, exposure south and north-west. Plant density 3000-5000 per hectare

Description: This international class wine, referred to as ?wacky wine? by veteran cellarman Alvaro Palini, is produced with grapes from old merlot, cabernet and barbera vines. This complex layered wine pours an inscrutable ruby red. The aroma has hints of preserved berries, cocoa, spices, ink and a long balsamic effluvium. It is round and firmly structured with a dense tannic weave, but stunningly fresh by virtue of the presence of the barbera grapes. It is a lingering wine that excels when aged. It is stored for 30 months in small oak barrels and at least one year in glass. It is easily matched with grilled meats, semi-hard cheeses and game meat

Harvest: handmade beginning of september and october

Vinification: grapes are crushed and de-stemmed, fermentation is made in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature 28?C. Maceration of 4 weeks with pumping-over and delestage. Ageing: barriquesand tonneaux for 24 months, in bottle for at

least 18 months