Clerico/Domenico Barolo Pajana 1997

97 points Wine Spectator: "Dark ruby, with a brick red edge. Fabulous aromas, with wild strawberry, roses, sandalwood and milk chocolate. Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. This is just a baby. Even better than I remember.--1997 Italian blind retrospective. Best after 2012. 100 cases made. (12/15/07)"

93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Deep red. Explosive, vibrant aromas of black cherry, dried flowers, minerals, licorice and spices. Rich yet delicate, with precise, juicy flavors of superb intensity. A floral nuance adds complexity. Finishes with extremely fine tannins. Beautifully balanced wine, and showing extremely well today. (Nov/Dec 2000)"

93 points Robert Parker: "Clerico's saturated purple-colored 1997 Barolo Pajana offers a classic bouquet (reminiscent of a cross between Mouton and Lafite-Rothschild) of cedar wood, cassis, licorice, lead pencil, and mineral scents. The wine possesses abundant quantities of black fruit, tar, truffle, and cigar box flavors. A huge, monstrous Barolo, it is not one of the most forward 1997s, so 3-4 years of cellaring is recommended. (Jun 2001)"