Castello di Ama
Chianti Classico Vigneto La Casuccia 2021
Other years:
2018| Denomination | DOCG Chianti Classico Gran Selezione |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.0% by volume |
| Area | Tuscany (Italy) |
| Grape varieties | 80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot |
| Aging | After malolactic fermentation in barriques, blending and ageing in fine-grained oak barriques (40% new, the rest used for one year). |
| Other years | 2018 |
- Name and vintage: Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione, Tuscany, 2021
- Grape variety and alcohol content: 80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot; 14% vol, 0.75 l bottle
- Vinification: indigenous yeasts, separate fermentations in steel at 30–33 °C
- Ageing: fine-grained oak barriques, 40% new; malolactic fermentation in barrique
- Profile and serving: red fruits and tobacco; decant for 1 hour, serve at 16–18 °C
Description
What kind of wine is it
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto La Casuccia from Castello di Ama is a Tuscan red wine created from a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. This territorial expression combines varietal precision with a robust structure. On the palate, the tannin is present yet subtle, supporting a rich fruity profile. Careful ageing in fine-grained oak barrels imparts an elegant style, a savoury taste, and a long-lasting finish.
Where does it come from
This wine is produced in the municipality of Gaiole in Chianti, in the province of Siena. The La Casuccia vineyard stretches between 470 and 495 metres above sea level, benefiting from optimal exposures that promote full ripening of the grapes. The clay-limestone soils play a fundamental role, providing a concentrated expression and ensuring a balance between freshness and structure. Castello di Ama meticulously selects plots characterised by an ideal microclimate to enhance the qualities of the vines.
How is it produced
The Sangiovese and Merlot grapes are vinified separately in temperature-controlled steel tanks, using indigenous yeasts and manual pump-overs. This is followed by a careful maceration period before malolactic fermentation. After blending, the wine matures in fine-grained oak barrels, partly new, developing a deep ruby red colour with purple highlights. The aromatic bouquet offers notes of red fruit, vanilla, and complex hints of tobacco and leather.
History and Curiosities
Founded in 1976, the Castello di Ama company embodies Tuscan winemaking excellence through the La Casuccia vineyard, a superb terraced cru designed to ensure the ideal exposure and ripening of the grapes. Under the expert guidance of oenologist Marco Pallanti, this limited production harmoniously combines Sangiovese and Merlot, vinified separately with meticulous care. Only in the best vintages do the finest plots give rise to an unforgettable Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, regularly awarded with top scores.
Awards
-
2021
97/100
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
96/100
The prestigious international wine guide from the renowned Robert Parker, the world's most experienced and trusted wine taster.
-
2021
98/100
Vinous is the online guide from Antonio Galloni, one of the world's leading wine connoisseurs.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
16 - 18 °C
Longevity:
15 - 25 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 Vigneto La Casuccia 2021 |
|---|---|
| Type | Red green still |
| Denomination | Chianti Classico DOCG |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.0% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Vendor | Castello di Ama |
| Story | History and Curiosities Founded in 1976, the Castello di Ama company embodies Tuscan winemaking excellence through the La Casuccia vineyard, a superb terraced cru designed to ensure the ideal exposure and ripening of the grapes. Under the expert guidance of oenologist Marco Pallanti, this limited production harmoniously combines Sangiovese and Merlot, vinified separately with meticulous care. Only in the best vintages do the finest plots give rise to an unforgettable Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, regularly awarded with top scores. |
| Origin | Località Ama in Chianti - Frazione Lecchi in Chianti - Gaiole in Chianti (SI) |
| Soil composition | Clay-limestone |
| Cultivation system | Vertical trellis with simple Guyot pruning |
| Plants per hectare | 5200 |
| Fermentation temperature | Controlled between 30 °C and 33 °C |
| Fermentation | Approximately 26 days for Sangiovese and 25 days for Merlot |
| Production technique | Separate fermentation by variety in temperature-controlled steel tanks with indigenous yeasts and manual pump-overs; malolactic fermentation and ageing in fine-grained oak barriques (40% new) |
| Wine making | Fermentation induced by indigenous yeasts and carried out separately for each variety in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature between 30°C and 33°C, with manual pump-overs and a total maceration period (cuvaison) of about 26 days for Sangiovese and 25 days for Merlot; after racking, the wine is transferred to barriques to undergo malolactic fermentation; blending takes place after malolactic fermentation, followed by ageing in fine-grained oak barriques (40% new, the remainder one year old). |
| Aging | After malolactic fermentation in barriques, blending and ageing in fine-grained oak barriques (40% new, the rest used for one year). |
| Total acidity | 5.49 gr/L |
| PH | 3.56 |
| Dry extract | 31.9 gr/L |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |