Intensely ruby-red, almost garnet colored, it has a rich, full, sustained flavor of licorice, berry and plum. The palate is dry and strong, complex with a long finish. Perfect with goat served with polenta.

Rating

Wine Spectator 96 points (Jul 31 2004) This is a big, powerful red with loads of floral, berry, plum and truffle aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, yet refined. It builds on the palate with lots of racy tannins and an ultralong finish. A long-ager. Nearly matches the amazing 1996 in quality. The best from Conterno this year. Best after 2010. 800 cases made. –JS  Wine Advocate 91 points (Aug 2005) The 2000 Barolo Cicala, as always my favorite from this house, is significantly longer and more intense and with greater bite and grip on the finish, and its nose, with aromas of rose petals and anisette, is more focused and expressive of true Nebbiolo character. This is a big, powerful red with loads of floral, berry, plum and truffle aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, yet refined. It builds on the palate with lots of racy tannins and an ultralong finish. A long-ager. Nearly matches the amazing 1996 in quality. The best from Conterno this year. Best after 2010. 800 cases made. (JS)