Castello di Ama
Al Poggio Chardonnay di Toscana IGT – 2023
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
Steep estate vineyard.
- Altitude: 1,500 – 1,640 feet
- Exposure: northeast/southwest
- Soil: Chalky, calcareous clay
- Vine Training System: partially open Lyre and partially vertical trellis
- Vine Planting Density: 2,800 plants/ha for Lyre; 5,200 plants/ha for vertical trellis
Harvest Notes
- Moderate, balanced winter season
- April temperature drop with above average rain
- May and June labor-intensive in the vineyards
- July, August sunny, warm
- Hand harvest began September 5
- Soft press; 60% of must refrigerated and fermented in stainless steel tanks, balance in 50% new, 50% in one year old oak barriques
- Only indigenous yeasts
- 25% of oak-fermented must macerated on skins 12 hours and completed malolactic fermentation
- Aged 8 months on lees with weekly battonage
Winemaker's Notes
Clear yellow with bright golden hints. Summer flowers and fruit aromas, including apricot, pineapple and banana. A delicate yet decisive palate with crisp freshness and acidity. Great persistence and length on the finish.
Wine Summary
100% Chardonnay; alcohol: 13.5%; steep vineyard of very chalky clay soil at 1,500 – 1,640 ft; 60% of wine fermented in stainless steel tanks; 40% in oak barriques, 50% new; only indigenous yeasts; 25% of barrel fermented juice macerated for 12 hours; malolactic fermentation for barrel-fermented wine; aged on lees for 8 months with battonage every week.
Technical Information
- 100% Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- Total Acidity: 5.14 g/l
- Residual Sugar: < 1 g/l
- Extract: 21 m/l
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 |