Graticciaia--Vintage 1993 Salento. Agricola Vallone -The 'Grand Vin' goes by the name of Graticciaia, being a unique Southern Italian version of a dry, full-bodied red from dried grapes- not, in the Amarone manner, for months under the eaves of the winery, but for around three weeks on cane mats (graticci) in the full glare of the autumn sun. The result is a wine of enormous power and complexity, with a nose of ripe figs, spices, tar, hints of chocolate and coffee from the barrique in which it is aged, and a palate which is dense yet fine, rich and sweet but finishing dry, with all those aromas and more playing tag in the mouth as the liquid passes through to a fully satisfying, beautifully balanced conclusion- Nicholas Belfrage, Brunello to Zibibbo