This a very popular and well-priced wine that is packaged in a one-liter bottle. This is a throwback to local tradition in which this bottle format was more widely used in Tuscany. The Ampeleia 2021 Unlitro is an informal blend of Alicante Nero (Grenache), Carignano, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese and Alicante Bouschet. The wine is certified organic and biodynamic. This entry-level red shows dried raspberry tart, cherry, blue flower and grilled herb. The finish is fresh and lively.

Packaged in its distinctive one-liter bottle, the Ampeleia 2019 Unlitro represents a blend of various organic and biodynamic grapes grown on the property. The blend is 40% Alicante Nero (Grenache), 15% Carignano, 25% Mourvèdre, 15% Sangiovese and 5% Alicante Bouschet. Fruit comes from the lowest-altitude vineyard of the estate called Cannucceto. The squat one-liter bottle pays homage to a yesteryear of wine when these larger containers were commonly used. This fresh and punchy wine opens to a lean appearance and a pleasantly fragrant bouquet with wild flower, blood orange, lilac and iron ore. The finish is thin and not long, but there is nice elegance here. Production is an ample 150,000 bottles.

Bottled in a one liter format, the easy-drinking 2013 Unlitro shows bigger bones and a pleasant, one-dimensional style. The wine offers a solid base of ripe fruit and cherry flavors given the context of the non-intrusive winemaking approach. This is the kind of easy Tuscan red to serve at outdoor barbecue picnics.

The 2011 Unlitro is a blend of the various grapes grown on the property and bottled in a one-liter bottle, as the name indicates. It is a fresh, vinous wine bursting with sweet red cherries, raspberries, flowers and mint. Floral notes reappear on the finish, adding lift and brightness. The 2011 is best enjoyed over next 2-3 years while the fruit retains its vibrancy. It is a joyous red loaded with personality. Best of all, the Unlitro is a terrific value. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2014. 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