The 2009 Ampeleia is the most striking wine I have ever tasted from Ampeleia. A blast of rich, dark fruit hits the palate, followed by exotic espresso, sage and sweet spices. There is a wild, unrestrained quality to the 2009 that separates it from most wines being made on the Tuscan coast today. Layers of fruit build to the rich, voluminous finish. This is a fabulous effort. Ampeleia is 60% Cabernet Franc and 15% Sangiovese, plus an assortment of other red grapes grown on the property. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021. I was deeply impressed with the wines I tasted from Ampeleia this year. Every time I went back to the wines, I found a new shade of dimension. A gradual conversion to biodynamic farming and an increased use of cement vats are stripping these wines to the bare essentials, and what comes through more often than not these days is pure class. Importers: De Santis Selection Imports, Missouri City, TX; tel. (281) 437-1616; Communal Brands, Long Island City, NY; tel. (718) 937-4228