Castello di Ama
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo 2021
| 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 | After malolactic fermentation, the wine matures in fine-grained oak barriques for about 10 months (18% new). |
| Other years | 2011 , 2013 , 2015 , 2016 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 |
- Name: Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, 2021 vintage, Tuscany
- Grape variety: Sangiovese 80%, Merlot 13%, Malvasia Nera 7%
- Vinification: hand-picked, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, stainless steel 30-33 °C
- Ageing: about 10 months in fine-grained oak barriques, 18% new
- Tasting and serving: notes of cherry and plum, balanced tannins; serve at 18-20 °C after 1 hour of decanting
Description
What kind of wine it is
Castello di Ama San Lorenzo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is an elegant and profound Tuscan red wine. This structured blend combines Sangiovese, Merlot and Malvasia Nera grapes, presenting a brilliant ruby colour. The nose reveals intense aromas of cherry, blackberry and plum, enriched by notes of leather and spices. On the palate, it stands out for its vibrant freshness and harmonious tannins, finishing with a persistent finale and delicate earthy hints. Its aromatic complexity pairs perfectly with grilled red meats, flavourful first courses and mature cheeses.
Where it comes from
This wine takes its name from the evocative San Lorenzo valley and is born in the renowned vineyards of Castello di Ama, in Gaiole in Chianti. The vines grow on clay-limestone soils of medium texture, rich in stones, which ensure excellent drainage. The exposure, combined with an altitude between 460 and 525 metres, creates an ideal microclimate. The strong temperature variations between day and night encourage a slow ripening of the grapes, concentrating the aromas in the berries. These characteristics of the hilly terroir result in a linear sip with great character.
How it is produced
Production begins with a rigorous manual harvest of the bunches, which arrive intact at the winery for crushing. The varieties are vinified separately, starting fermentation in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures thanks to the action of indigenous yeasts. During this phase, constant manual pump-overs help extract colour and aromas. After racking, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in barrels. Finally, the different batches are blended and aged for about ten months in fine-grained oak barrels, shaping the wine's final structure.
History and Curiosities
The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo from Castello di Ama takes its name from the valley of the same name, home to historic and prestigious vineyards. This majestic expression of the region, enhanced by Merlot and Malvasia Nera, matures patiently in oak barriques, developing absolute elegance and intense notes of ripe red fruits. Positioned at the pinnacle of the DOCG quality pyramid, the superb 2021 vintage captivates with its vibrant freshness and has been acclaimed by international critics with the renowned 99 points from James Suckling.
Awards
-
2021
99/100
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.
-
2021
95/100
The prestigious international wine guide from the renowned Robert Parker, the world's most experienced and trusted wine taster.
-
2021
94/100
Vinous is the online guide from Antonio Galloni, one of the world's leading wine connoisseurs.
-
2021
95/100
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 2021 |
|---|---|
| Type | Red still |
| Denomination | Chianti Classico DOCG |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| 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 The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo from Castello di Ama takes its name from the valley of the same name, home to historic and prestigious vineyards. This majestic expression of the region, enhanced by Merlot and Malvasia Nera, matures patiently in oak barriques, developing absolute elegance and intense notes of ripe red fruits. Positioned at the pinnacle of the DOCG quality pyramid, the superb 2021 vintage captivates with its vibrant freshness and has been acclaimed by international critics with the renowned 99 points from James Suckling. |
| Origin | Località Ama in Chianti - frazione Lecchi in Chianti - Gaiole in Chianti (SI) |
| Soil composition | Clay-calcareous, rich in stones |
| Cultivation system | Vertical trellis with single Guyot pruning |
| Plants per hectare | 2,800-5,500 |
| Harvest | Generally between the end of September and the beginning of October |
| Fermentation temperature | 30-33 °C |
| Fermentation | Total duration of maceration: 22 days for Sangiovese, 25 days for Merlot and 26 days for Malvasia Nera |
| Production technique | Manual harvest; crushing; alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks (30-33 °C) with maceration and pumping over; malolactic fermentation in barriques; blending; ageing in fine-grained oak barriques for approximately 10 months (18% new) |
| Wine making | Vinification was initiated with indigenous yeasts and carried out separately for each variety in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature (30-33 °C), with maceration and manual pump-overs; total cuvaison duration: 22 days for Sangiovese, 25 for Merlot, and 26 for Malvasia Nera. After racking, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barriques, after which the batches were blended and the wine matured in fine-grained oak barriques for around 10 months (18% new). |
| Aging | After malolactic fermentation, the wine matures in fine-grained oak barriques for about 10 months (18% new). |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |