Ampeleia, Ampeleia

The 2017 Ampeleia combines all the elements that make the best wines here so compelling. There is a lot of everything, but not too much of anything. Dark and enveloping, with no hard edges, the 2017 is sublime. Whole clusters are evident but not intrusive. This is a terrific example of the Ampeleia house style at its very best. - Antonio Galloni

A biodynamic and organic wine, the Ampeleia 2018 Ampeleia is all Cabernet Franc from a vineyard site that extends up to 600 meters in elevation. It gets cool mountain nights and the warm sunny days of the Tuscan coast. The alcohol content is a contained 12.5%, which is a small miracle in its own right, especially for a part of the peninsula where fruit ripens quickly. This is a unique growing site. The wine opens to a medium-dark color with macerated aromas of dark cola, cherry cola and crushed peppercorn. - Monica Larner

The 2016 Ampeleia is an organic expression of Cabernet Franc made with 10% whole-cluster fruit and fermented in a combination of large oak casks and cement. Fruit is drawn from a high-altitude site with calcareous clay soils, representing the best of Roccatederighi (the town where this winery is located). This vintage reveals sharpness and focus with cherry, wild berry and cassis. At the back, it offers distinctive notes of licorice, tar and crushed stone. The aromas fall together with exceptional precision. - Monica Larner

The flagship 2014 Ampeleia is a bold, pungent wine. Wild and at times a bit unrestrained, Ampeleia has a lot going on. Sweet red cherry, herb, rose petal mint and and a host of intensely floral notes from the Cabernet Franc, which is the core of the blend, are all finely woven in the glass. Above all else, the 2014 speaks a with real authority and power. There is so much to like and admire. - Antonio Galloni

Funkelndes, sattes Rubin. Präsentiert sich in der Nase mit einem satten Gewürzteppich, nach Zimt, Nelken und Koriander, dann viel Himbeerfrucht. Viel saftige, reife Beerenfrucht am Gaumen, Himbeere, öffnet sich mit griffigem, präsentem Tannin, dicht und tief.

Very pretty aromas of dark fruits with rosemary and sea-like undertones. Full-bodied, layered and dense, yet there's an underlying energy that brings you back to savor each sip. Lovely to drink now but will improve with age. From biodynamically grown grapes. - James Suckling

The 2013 Ampeleia, the estate's Cabernet Franc/Sangiovese blend, is fabulous. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, orange peel and intense, savory notes meld together in a deep, juicy Tuscan red full of personality. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. - Antonio Galloni