Castello Di Ama Chianti 2021

Castello di Ama San Lorenzo is named after the picturesque San Lorenzo valley viewed from the estate’s eighteenth-century Villa Pianigiani and Villa Ricucci. This wine is produced from the finest grapes grown in the historic vineyards Bellavista, Casuccia, San Lorenzo and Montebuoni.

• Exposure: North-East/South-West – North-East/South-East
• Altitude: 1510-1720 feet/460-525 meters
• Soil: Clay and calcareous
• Clone Selections: Sangiovese CC2000 1, CC2000 2, CC2000 4, CC2000 5, Merlot 343, 347. Malvasia N, MN6. Rootstock 420
• Vine Training Systems: Vertical trellis, single Guyot
• Vine Planting Density: 2800 – 5500 vines/ha

• 1st quarter of 2020 without winter – clear, sunny days and no snow
• March brought lower temperatures and slowed growth
• Warmth of summer and soil moisture led to good maturation
• End August rain and September cool nights and warm days created good ripening and aromatic development
• Merlot hand harvested began in early-mid September, into 10kg crates
• Sangiovese harvest started September 22, followed by unpredicatable but gentle weather, ending October 8
• Fermented using only indigenous yeasts at in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks from 86–91ºF, each variety separately
• Manual pumpovers
• Fermentation 22 days for Sangiovese, 25 days for Merlot, 26 for Malvasia Nera
• Wines racked, transferred to barriques for malolactic fermentation
• Wine blended
• Aged 12 months in 22% new, fine grained barriques, the balance in 2 year old barriques

An expression of Sangiovese blended with the smallest quantities of Merlot and Malvasia Nera, the hallmarks of this complex wine are finesse, elegance, intensity, length and freshness. Castello di Ama San Lorenzo has a remarkable ability to evolve, developing aromatic complexity and exemplary intensity over time. Dark ruby-red. The nose is fruity with strawberry notes, red cherries, orange zest and liquorice. Terciary hints of leather. A silky, supple-texted wine, succulent and juicy. Ripe red fruit persists on the palate, complemented by firm yet delicate tannins. A lively finish with dark red fruit, wet ground and wood.

80% Sangiovese, 13% Merlot, 7% Malvasia Nera; alcohol: 13.5%; vines planted in 1974, 1978, 1996; Merlot hand harvested in mid- September, Merlot from 9/22 – 10/8/2020; lots vinified separately using only ambient yeasts; fermented at controlled temperatures 86–91°F in stainless steel tanks; malolactic fermentation then blending in oak; aged in 22% new oak barriques for 12 months.

• 80% Sangiovese; 13% Merlot, 7% Malvasia Nera
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Total Acidity: 5.6 g/l
• Residual Sugar: < 1 g/l
• Extract: 30.4 m/l