Castello di Ama : L'Apparita 2019

A great red wine from Tuscany harmoniously combining finesse and aromatic richness

The estate

Set in the heart of Tuscany's majestic landscapes, the Castello di Ama estate takes its name from the small village of “Ama”, perched at an altitude of 500 metres.

Founded in 1970 by a group of families determined to produce a Chianti Classico ranked among the greatest wines of Italy and the world, Castello di Ama bears witness to the historic heritage of this village, which has been renowned for its farming and winegrowing for more than five centuries. Repeatedly awarded and acclaimed for the quality of its wines, Castello di Ama is today run by Lorenza Sebasti and Marco Pallanti, the Tuscan oenologist named “Winemaker of the Year” in 2003 by the prestigious Italian magazine “Gambero Rosso”

The vineyard

Castello di Ama tends a vineyard of nearly 80 hectares, including the illustrious terroirs of Bellavista, San Lorenzo, Casuccia and Montebuoni, located in the historic Chianti production area and handed down from generation to generation.

The wine

Produced since 1985, Castello di Ama's L'Apparita is a Tuscan wine recognised as the first Merlot ever made in this wine region. This singular wine, which became iconic from its very first vintage, comes from two plots at the top of the Bellavista vineyard, a 2.95-hectare terroir located at an altitude of 490 metres.

Originally planted in 1975 with Canaiolo and Malvasia Bianca, the vines were replanted in 1982 exclusively with Merlot. Grown on particularly rich clay soils, the grapes give rise to an exceptional wine that combines the expression of Merlot with the distinctive character of its terroir.

The vintage

Cool and marked by significant temperature swings between day and night, the beginning of 2019 was followed by a relatively mild February. Wet, cool conditions in early spring led to coulure, affecting yields. A hot, dry summer encouraged the berries to ripen well right up to the harvest, which took place from 5 September to 10 October.

Winemaking and ageing

The hand-harvested grapes are vinified in temperature-controlled steel tanks. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Manual pump-overs. 28-day maceration. After racking, the wine is transferred to barriques for malolactic fermentation, after which it is placed in fine-grained oak casks (50% new casks, 50% once-used barriques) for approximately 14 months of ageing.

Blend

Merlot (100%).

Characteristics and tasting tips for L'Apparita 2019 by Castello di Ama

Tasting

Colour
The wine reveals a superb purple colour with subtle violet highlights.

Nose
Remarkably refined, the nose elegantly blends fruity aromas (red and black fruit) with floral notes (lavender, mint, sage), along with hints of spice (cloves) and new leather.

Palate
Lively and expressive, the palate seduces with its concentration, its fruity structure and its finish, which releases delicious balsamic notes.