Castello di Ama
Castello di Ama Riserva – 2004
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 specialized estate vineyards are in the designated Chianti Classico Register.
- Altitude: 1280–1740 feet
- Soils: Calcareous-clay, full of pebbles
Vineyard Age: Plots planted between 1974 – 1978 have a density of 1200 vines per acre; those planted from 1996 on display a density of 2150 vines/acre - Vine Training Systems: Vertically-trellised, trained to the open lyre system and pruned to Guyot and spurred cordon
- All varieties grafted onto 420A rootstock
Harvest Notes
- 2004 began with normal rainfall and cold temperatures
- Alternating mild and wintery conditions delayed budbreak
- June temperatures varied, with flowering and fruit set a little later than usual
- Average weather for the remainder of the growing season
- Hand harvested October 10-12 with strict berry selection in vineyard and at cellar
- Destemmed; varieties vinified separately in stainless steel tanks at 91ºF/33ºC with several daily pumpovers
- 25 days maceration followed by malolactic fermentation in tank
- Blending and aging in 25% new French oak barriques for about a year
Winemaker's Notes
Sparkling, purple-flecked ruby red. Impressions of pungent spice lift delicate but self-confident notes of red fruit and fruit preserves on the nose. An nndeniably grand structure and rich, dense-packed tannins make up a complex yet extremely harmonious wine, with a long-lasting, elegant finish.
Wine Summary
80% Sangiovese, 20% Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Cabernet Franc; alcohol: 13%; estate vineyards in the Chianti Classico Register between 1280–1750 feet; pebbly calcareous clay soil; hand harvested October 10-12 into small crates with strict berry selection; varieties vinified separately in stainless steel tanks at 91ºF for 25 days with daily pumpovers; aged about a year in 25% new oak barriques.
Technical Information
- 80% Sangiovese, 20% Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
- Alcohol: 13%
Reviews
90 Points
The 2004 Chianti Classico is a very serious Chianti. Livelier in color and more expressive in its aromatics than the 2003, it exhibits a nuanced personality, with notes of dark cherries, licorice and minerals that open up in the glass. It offers outstanding length on the palate and fine yet broad tannins that will require a few years to come together.
© Wine Advocate, July, 2007
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 |