The 2001 Ardito, which blends Cabernet and Merlot with Sangiovese, is an inky ruby in color, ample, potent and sweet on the nose with abundant vanilla, blackberry, and caramel sensations, deep, dense, concentrated, and sustained on the palate, very firm in its structure but velvety in texture and caressing on the finish. This wine is made at the Relais & Chateau hotel Il Falconiere in southeastern Tuscany, located not far from the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano appellation. The hotel is a quality operation which Riccardo Baracchi obviously wanted to pair with a high class wine, and Stefano Chioccioli gave him the necessary assistance to achieve it. An excellent debut, to say the least. Importer: Livio Panebianco, Panebianco, LLC, New York, NY; tel (212) 685-7560