Castello di Ama : Ama 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for Ama 2023 by Castello di Ama

Tasting

Color
Brilliant, it reveals a ruby red hue with warm vermillion nuances.

Nose
The bouquet reveals aromas of black cherries, red plums, and redcurrants. Floral notes of violet and rose petals accompany these fruity fragrances, while touches of citrus and minerality add an extra dimension. With aeration, subtle nuances of spice and earth emerge.

Palate
This wine displays a medium body with a silky texture and polished tannins. Flavors of ripe cherries and juicy red fruits dominate the palate, supported by an invigorating freshness. The fine, chalky tannic structure reflects the limestone-rich soils, while balanced acidity ensures an elegant, lingering finish.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs perfectly with tomato-based pasta dishes, particularly pappardelle with wild boar. It also pairs very well with traditional pizzas topped with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, aged cheeses such as pecorino romano, and herb-roasted poultry. Legume-based preparations such as ribollita also make excellent pairings.

Service and storage

The Ama 2023 can be enjoyed today and will continue to evolve favorably until around 2034.

An elegant, mineral Chianti Classico by Castello di Ama

The estate

Founded in 1976 by four Roman families, Castello di Ama today spans 230 hectares, including 75 hectares of vineyards located in Gaiole in Chianti, in Tuscany. Under the direction of Lorenza Sebasti, managing director since 1988, and Marco Pallanti, winemaker and general director, the estate has established itself as one of the most prestigious producers of Chianti Classico. A pioneer of single-vineyard selections since 1978, Castello di Ama also stands out for its commitment to sustainable viticulture, certified Equalitas since 2022, and for the integration of contemporary art within its vineyards. Arturo Pallanti, son of Lorenza Sebasti and Marco Pallanti, now represents the third generation at the helm of the estate as director of operations.

The vineyard

The vines for the Chianti Classico Ama are planted between 460 and 525 meters in altitude on clay-limestone soils rich in alberese, the characteristic white limestone rock of the Chianti Classico hills. These young vines, averaging ten to thirteen years old, are cultivated at a density of 5,200 vines per hectare. The high altitude and optimal south-facing exposure contribute to producing elegant, mineral wines that faithfully reflect the terroir of Gaiole in Chianti.

The vintage

The 2023 vintage benefited from favorable climatic conditions, with a dry period from June to mid-August, followed by beneficial rainfall on August 15 that allowed the vines to continue ripening without excessive water stress. The Sangiovese harvest took place between September 20 and October 4, 2023, while the Merlot was harvested earlier, on September 12, reflecting its faster ripening.

Winemaking and aging

Following manual harvesting and rigorous sorting, the grapes for Ama 2023 are vinified separately by grape variety in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius. Alcoholic fermentation, carried out solely with indigenous yeasts, lasts between twenty-three and twenty-six days for Sangiovese and twenty-five to twenty-six days for Merlot. After malolactic fermentation, the blend is made and the wine is then aged for twelve months in 225-liter French oak barrels that have already been used once. Bottling took place in January 2024.

Grape varieties

Sangiovese (96%), Merlot (4%).