Castello di Ama : L'Apparita 2022

Tasting Notes and Recommendations for L'Apparita 2022 by Castello di Ama

Tasting Notes

Appearance
This wine reveals a particularly deep and impenetrable purplish-red colour.

Nose
Highly elegant and refined, the aromatic bouquet releases scents of red and black fruits, accompanied by delicate notes of violet and nuts.

Palate
The tasting reveals an extremely elegant profile, with rich concentration and a juicy character. The whole is supported by a bright acidity, leading to a long and nuanced finish.

Food and Wine Pairing
To accompany this great red wine, opt for grilled or roasted red meats, such as a matured rib of beef or a rack of lamb. It also pairs wonderfully with mushroom-based dishes in sauce, game such as wild boar or venison, and aged hard cheeses like pecorino.

Serving and Cellaring
With exceptional ageing potential, this wine can be cellared for a very long time, enjoyable until around 2044.

L'Apparita, the Pure Expression of Merlot in Tuscany by Castello di Ama

The Estate
Founded in 1976 by four Roman families, Castello di Ama is now led by Lorenza Sebasti. Located in Gaiole in Chianti, at the heart of Tuscany, this exceptional estate spans 75 hectares of vineyards and 40 hectares of olive groves. A pioneer in the parcel-by-parcel approach and committed to certified sustainable viticulture, the estate also stands out for its intimate connection with contemporary art, hosting site-specific works. Under the technical direction of Marco Pallanti, the estate produces world-renowned wines that combine respect for high-altitude terroir with oenological innovation.

The Vineyard
The grapes come exclusively from two plots located at the top of the Bellavista cru, at an altitude of 490 metres. This unique terroir in Tuscany benefits from a north-south exposure and rests on clay-limestone soils particularly rich in clay. The vines, planted at a density of 2,800 vines per hectare, are trained using the rare open lyre system. This method, combined with clone 342, promotes optimal aeration and enhances the grapes' qualities in this high-altitude terroir.

The Vintage
The year began with a mild winter and spring, marked by rainfall in line with seasonal averages. From May onwards, the climate became exceptionally hot and very dry. The return of rain in mid-August proved to be a saving grace. Thanks to impeccable grape health, no disease was reported. The Merlot harvest took place under ideal conditions on 12 September.

Winemaking and Ageing
For this 2022 vintage, fermentation took place using indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks, with temperature rigorously controlled between 30 and 32°C. Manual pump-overs were carried out during a total maceration period of 25 days. After the first racking, malolactic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. Finally, the wine was aged for approximately 14 months in fine-grained oak barrels, comprising 40% new wood, with the remainder being second-fill barrels.

Grape Variety
Merlot (100%)