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Tasting notes
The 2003 Cignale is drinking very nicely right now. The wine opens to dark richness and a rich garnet appearance with slightly amber-colored hues at the edges. The tannins are sweet and plump (this was a very hot vintage), and the wine still shows a good amount of dark fruit with prune, plum and dried blackberry. The richness and the velvety texture of the wine are ultimately its most memorable attributes.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2003 Cignale, a deep, almost-saturated ruby, explodes from the glass in an intense, powerful expression of dark, super-ripe fruit, earthiness, cassis, herbs, chocolate and toasted oak. It shows superb balance for the vintage, the warmth of which is felt on the sweet, alcoholic note that frames the finish. Although it possesses much opulence and concentration there is plenty of stuffing underneath to make me think it will drink to age 20, perhaps beyond. In the meantime, readers may want to give this brooding, structured wine another year or two in the cellar.
The 2003 Cignale, a deep, almost-saturated ruby, explodes from the glass in an intense, powerful expression of dark, super-ripe fruit, earthiness, cassis, herbs, chocolate and toasted oak. It shows superb balance for the vintage, the warmth of which is felt on the sweet, alcoholic note that frames the finish. Although it possesses much opulence and concentration there is plenty of stuffing underneath to make me think it will drink to age 20, perhaps beyond. In the meantime, readers may want to give this brooding, structured wine another year or two in the cellar. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2023. Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900