Castello di Ama : San Lorenzo Gran Selezione 2019

The smoothness and richness of a Chianti Classico wine

The estate

Nestled at an altitude of 500 metres, the Castello di Ama estate boasts a rich heritage, as the small village of "Ama" was already known more than five centuries ago for its agricultural activities and its production of Tuscan wines.

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

The vineyard

A benchmark among Chianti Classico wines, Castello di Ama's San Lorenzo Gran Selezione is made entirely from grapes grown in the Bellavista, Casuccia, San Lorenzo and Montebuoni vineyards, located in the heart of the historic appellation. The vines are planted between 460 and 525 metres above sea level on clay-limestone soil. This Tuscan wine produced since 2010 takes its name from a beautiful little valley, where the 18th-century villas owned by nthe Pianigiani and Ricucci families are located between Florence and Siena.

The vintage

Cool and marked by wide temperature variations between day and night, the start of 2019 preceded a relatively mild month of February. Wet and cool conditions in early spring led to run-off, impacting yields. A hot and dry summer favoured good ripening of the grapes until the harvest, which were carried out from September 5th to October 10th.

Vinification and ageing

Parcel-based vinification using indigenous yeasts, in thermo-controlled steel vats, along with manual pumping over. Total vatting time for 22 to 26 days depending on the grape variety. After the first draining, the wine is placed in barrels where it undergoes malolactic fermentation. Blending is carried out at the end of the malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged in oak barrels (22% of which are new) for approximately 12 months.

The blend

Sangiovese (80%)

Merlot (13%)

Malvasia Nera (7%)

Castello di Ama's San Lorenzo Gran Selezione 2019: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

This wine is a beautiful ruby red colour.

Nose

Expressive, with fruity (cherry, strawberry) and liquorice fragrances, as well as notes of orange zest and leather.

Palate

The supple and silky palate blends delicate tannins with a delicious fruitiness (ripe red fruit). Persistent and lively, the finish seduces with its notes of black red fruit, damp earth and wood.