The 2008 Ampeleia is a gorgeous wine laced with dark wild cherries, violets and minerals. This is a wonderfully translucent, expressive red endowed with considerable nuance and personality. Sweet flowers and crushed rocks are woven into the vibrant, mid-weight finish. This is a classy effort from Ampeleia. In 2008 Ampeleia is 60% Cabernet Franc, 15% Sangiovese and a mix of other red grapes. The wine spent 16 months in oak prior to being bottled. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. Ampeleia is Elisabetta Foradori’s project in Maremma. The large property is essentially divided into two large sections, each of which makes wines that are so different; they might easily be mistaken for two separate estates. The lower and middle parts of the estate, known as Ampeleia Sotto and Ampeleia Mezzo, are mostly planted with Mediterranean/Rhone varieties, while the upper slope, Ampeleia Sopra is predominantly planted with Cabernet Franc. Thus far, Amepelia Sopra is the part of the estate that has shown the most potential. Importer: De Santis Selection Imports, Missouri City, TX; tel. (281) 437-1616