Castello di Ama
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo 2020
| Denomination | DOCG Chianti Classico Gran Selezione |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 13.5% by volume |
| Area | Tuscany (Italy) |
| Grape varieties | 80% Sangiovese, 13% Merlot, 7% Malvasia Nera |
| Aging | Ageing in fine-grained oak barriques (about 10 months, 18% new), then bottle ageing. |
| Other years | 2011 , 2013 , 2015 , 2016 , 2018 , 2019 , 2021 |
- Name and vintage: Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2020, Tuscany
- Grape variety: Sangiovese 80%, Merlot 13% and Malvasia Nera 7%
- Vinification: hand-picked, spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel at 30–33 °C
- Ageing: malolactic fermentation and around 10 months in oak barriques (18% new), then in bottle
- Tasting and serving: notes of cherry, strawberry and leather; serve at 18–20 °C, decant for 1 hour
Description
What kind of wine it is
San Lorenzo, a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione by Castello di Ama, is a red wine with a dry and complex profile. This Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is crafted from a skilful blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Malvasia Nera. On the nose, it reveals fruity notes of cherry and strawberry, enriched by elegant tertiary hints of leather. On the palate, it offers an intriguing sip, characterised by mature and delicate tannins, finishing with a persistent and fresh aftertaste that recalls red fruits and damp earth. Its defined structure pairs ideally with the intense flavours of mature cheeses and game-based dishes.
Where it comes from
The grapes come from the municipality of Gaiole in Chianti, in an area of Tuscany historically renowned for viticulture. The historic estate vineyards, located between 460 and 525 metres above sea level, are distinguished by a clay-limestone composition rich in stones, ensuring optimal drainage. The excellent sun exposure and significant temperature variations between day and night promote balanced ripening of the grapes, resulting in a pronounced aromatic concentration and precisely reflecting the identity of the region.
How it is produced
The harvest, carried out by hand, takes place in autumn with separate processing for each variety. The spontaneous alcoholic fermentation is triggered by indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures, supported by meticulous maceration on the skins managed through constant pumping over. Once malolactic fermentation is complete, the different batches are assembled into the final blend, which matures for about ten months in fine-grained oak barrels. The process concludes with a further period of bottle ageing, essential for harmonising the wine's structure.
History and Curiosities
Founded in 1976 in Gaiole in Chianti, the Castello di Ama estate overlooks the picturesque valley surrounding the ancient church of San Lorenzo. Among eighteenth-century villas and clay-limestone soils grow Sangiovese, Merlot and Malvasia Nera grapes of excellent quality, all harvested by hand. Positioned at the top of the quality pyramid as a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, this masterpiece by oenologist Marco Pallanti offers a juicy sip with mature tannins, enhanced by spontaneous fermentation and an elegant ageing in fine-grained oak barriques.
Awards
-
2020
4Italian Sommelier Foundation (FIS) guide This has been one of the most prestigious wine guides in Italy for over 10 years.
-
2020
93/100
Decanter is a wine and lifestyle magazine, published monthly in around 90 countries. The magazine includes industry news, classic guides and advice on wine and spirits.
-
2020
2This guide is highly respected and offers the most comprehensive review of Italian wines. It has a long tradition and is based on blind tastings carried out by over 100 experts.
-
2020
95/100
James Suckling is an influential American wine critic and journalist who worked at Wine Spectator for 30 years. He left the magazine in 2010 to start his own website and guidebook (JamesSuckling.com). He specialises in Italian and Bordeaux wines.
-
2020
94/100
The prestigious international wine guide from the renowned Robert Parker, the world's most experienced and trusted wine taster.
-
2020
95/100
Vinous is the online guide from Antonio Galloni, one of the world's leading wine connoisseurs.
-
2020
4Italian Sommelier Association (AIS) guide
-
2020
93/100
Wine spectator is the most influential wine guide on the internet.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
18 - 20 °C
Longevity:
10 - 15 years
Decanting time:
1 hour
- Start up year: 1976
- Oenologist: Marco Pallanti
- Bottles produced: 320.000
- Hectares: 75
To date, Castello di Ama owns and manages about 75 hectares of vineyards and 40 hectares of olive groves, relying on the work of more than 60 people. The role of general manager and oenologist is held continuously by Marco Pallanti, who served, between 2006 and 2012, as President of the Chianti Classico Consortium, bringing the contribution of the creation of the 'Gran Selezione' category with the aim of highlighting the extraordinary quality and diversity of the region's wines. Read more
| Name | Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo 2020 |
|---|---|
| Type | Red still |
| Denomination | Chianti Classico DOCG |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 13.5% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 80% Sangiovese, 13% Merlot, 7% Malvasia Nera |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Vendor | Castello di Ama |
| Story | History and Curiosities Founded in 1976 in Gaiole in Chianti, the Castello di Ama estate overlooks the picturesque valley surrounding the ancient church of San Lorenzo. Among eighteenth-century villas and clay-limestone soils grow Sangiovese, Merlot and Malvasia Nera grapes of excellent quality, all harvested by hand. Positioned at the top of the quality pyramid as a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, this masterpiece by oenologist Marco Pallanti offers a juicy sip with mature tannins, enhanced by spontaneous fermentation and an elegant ageing in fine-grained oak barriques. |
| Origin | Località Ama in Chianti, frazione Lecchi in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti (SI) |
| Soil composition | Clay-limestone rich in stones, medium-textured, well-drained |
| Cultivation system | Vertical trellis with simple Guyot pruning |
| Plants per hectare | 2,800-5,500 |
| Harvest | Between late September and early October |
| Fermentation temperature | 30–33 °C |
| Fermentation | Cuvaison: 22 days for Sangiovese, 25 days for Merlot and 26 days for Malvasia Nera |
| Production technique | Manual harvest; spontaneous alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with skin maceration and pumping over; malolactic fermentation and ageing in barriques |
| Wine making | Manual harvest; grapes vinified separately by variety. Spontaneous alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature (30–33 °C) with maceration on the skins and manual/continuous pump-overs; cuvaison of 22 days for Sangiovese, 25 for Merlot and 26 for Malvasia Nera. After racking, malolactic fermentation in barriques; blending of the batches at the end of malolactic fermentation and subsequent ageing in fine-grained oak barriques (about 10 months, 18% new), then further ageing in bottle. |
| Aging | Ageing in fine-grained oak barriques (about 10 months, 18% new), then bottle ageing. |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |