Ampamakia looks good so far, showing good sheen and few bubbles, and a dark magenta color that never goes out of style. Unfortunately, though, the aroma isn't nearly as enticing and merely generates a "ho hum" response as an alcoholic and sour fragrance crosses the nose. Grapes and a touch of cranberries are present, but overall the scent is simply too strong on the sour side without anything to counter it.

The flavor enters the scene without much fanfare, first offering grapes and a gentle acidity in tones barely above a whisper. Things pick up, though, becoming rather winy with cranberries adding a tart touch that isn’t far removed from Manjari, but the profile still seems somewhat low and muted, not engineering enough intensity to make the flavor stick out.

Texturally, the chocolate is surprisingly thick for a bar of this makeup, but it remains smooth nonetheless, melting in the same unexpected manner that Valrhona’s vintages have done this year. Unlike last year’s vintage, the 2005 Ampamakia is worlds away in quality. The flavor is more complex, defined, controlled, and thus more urbane and pleasing all around, which shows not only improvements on Valrhona's end but also differences in fermenting. When compared to the course and abrasive vintage of last year, which can be likened to a burlap bag in the mouth, 2005 is like fine silk.

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