Ripe dark cherries, plums, sweet spices and licorice are some of the notes that flow from the 2009 Magari. The 2009 is a pliant, open Magari with lovely length and an understated finish. Floral notes linger on the close. In this vintage Magari is built on a core of radiant fruit, with less aromatic nuance than the 2008. I like the way the wine comes together in the glass. Magari is 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc that spends 18 months in French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2017. These new releases from Angelo Gaja’s Maremma property are quite successful. That said, it is interesting to note that Ca’Marcanda (the winery) is one of the few properties in Maremma to place such a high emphasis on Merlot, which is the main grape in all three of the estate’s reds. Because of that, these wines aren’t as differentiated as those of neighboring properties. By now, I think it is also quite clear that, with few exceptions, Merlot is an excellent component in Maremma wines, but rarely the most exciting leading player. Importer: Terlato Wines International, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604 8900