Castello di Ama
Castello di Ama Riserva – 2006
Region: ITALY - TUSCANY
Castello di Ama
Castello di Ama was founded in 1976, and is located in Gaiole in Chianti, within the additional geographical unit of the same name (UGA), located in the heart of Tuscany. It is located about 12 miles northeast of Siena in the hills of Gaiole. This is the heart of Chianti Classico, a bucolic rolling landscape of woods, vineyards and olive groves.
The estate is currently helmed by CEO Lorenza Sebasti, a member of the second generation of one of the four founding families. Marco Pallanti, who was once the President of the Chianti Classico Consorzio, has been the winemaker and technical director at Castello di Ama since 1982.
The goal of the estate is to have each bottle of Castello di Ama express the uniqueness of the terroir, and be an authentic expression of the vintage. Ama has practiced sustainable viticulture since the end of the 1990s, and recently received Equalitas (Italy) certification.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Castello di Ama’s 156.6 acres/65.38 hectares of specialised vineyards, officially enrolled in the Chianti Classico Register, are located at elevations between 1280-1740 feet/390-530 meters in calcareous-clay, pebble-rich soils.
- Exposure: North West /South East
- Soil: Calcareous clay and pebbly limestone
- Part of the vineyards were planted between 1974 and 1978, at an average density of 3,000 vines per hectare, while newer plantings at a density of 5,300 vines per hectare, starting in 1996 and continuing to 2005
- Vine Training Systems: Vertical trellis, single Guyot
- All varieties on rootstock 420
Harvest Notes
- Fairly hot May pushed rapid budbreak
- Cool early June and August, textbook sunny September
- Hand harvested October 5-13, 2006 with strict berry selection
- Each variety vinified separately in stainless steel tanks using only indigenous yeast at 91ºF with pumpovers
- Maceration for 25 days followed by malolactic fermentation
- Blended and aged 12 months in 20% new French oak barriques
Winemaker's Notes
Dark, deep ruby rimmed with fascinating cells of transparency. The nose is lavish and emphatic, classic Sangiovese raspberry, wild berry fruit and sweet violets, integrated with earthy notes, juniper, and pungent resin. The palate, broad and deep, is pure elegance, exhibiting seductive tannins, outstanding acidity, and generous drinkability. Beautifully married fruit and spice grace a very lengthy finish.
Wine Summary
80% Sangiovese, 20% Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Cabernet Franc; alcohol: 13%; estate vineyards in the Chianti Classico Register between 1280–1740 feet; calcareous clay, pebbly soil; hand harvested October 5–13, 2006 into small crates with strict berry selection; varieties vinified separately in stainless steel tanks using only indigenous yeast at 90ºF for 25 days with daily pumpovers; malolactic fermentation in tank; aged 12 months in 20% new oak barriques.
Technical Information
- 80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, Malvasia Nera, Cabernet Franc
- Alcohol: 13%
- Total Acidity: 5.60 g/l
- pH: 3.50
- Residual sugar: <1 g/L
- Extract: 30.0 g/L
Reviews
92 Points
This is a seriously beautiful Chianti Classico characterized by impressive elegance and a smooth, long feel that lasts many long minutes on the palate. The nose is equally pristine with bright but integrated aromas of dark fruit, spice and polished river stone.
Wine Enthusiast, April, 2011
92 Points
The 2006 Chianti Classico Castello di Ama flows with the essence of sweet perfumed fruit. Red cherries, raspberries, flowers and spices are intermingled with suggestions of tobacco, licorice and earthiness that linger in the background. The wine reveals incredible length, silky tannins that caress the palate all the way through to the close. In a word: Awesome. There’s not much else to say except that the Chianti Classico Castello di Ama is highly recommended. Castello di Ama is 80% Sangiovese plus Malvasia Nera, Merlot, and Canaiolo.–Antonio Galloni
Vinous, August, 2009
General Info
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Appellation(s) | Chianti Classico |
| Proprietor/CEO | Lorenza Sebasti |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Winemaker | Marco Pallanti |
| Annual Production | 25,000 9L cases |
| Farming (Sustainable, organic, biodynamic) | Sustainable certified by Equalitas Italy |