It's amazing how consistent these wines have been under the guidance of Carlo Ferrini, who has been the consulting winemaker at Castello del Terriccio since 1993, the first year this wine was released. The 2006 Lupicaia has held up well in the bottle, with its ripe fruit, black cherry and ripe blackberry, along with chocolate and spice. The wine shows evolved notes of cured tobacco and leather, and you can really taste the compact nature of the fruit. There is good concentration and richness here as well, which I think is mostly due to the style of the times. You could say that this vintage represents the younger bookend of this stylistic era.

Beautiful aromas of ripe berries, dark chocolate, flowers, spices and sandalwood. Develops wonderfully. Full-bodied, with polished, refined tannins and a very long finish. Tight and racy now. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best after 2012. 2,200 cases made. -JS

The flagship wine. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 8-9% Petit Verdot. Round and chewy and polished. Lush. Lifted, fresh tea-leaf aromas. Very grippy for the moment.