Castello di Ama
Vigneto Bellavista Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG- 2022
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
The Bellavista vineyard covers an area of 56.39 acres/22.82 hectares, with 23 acres replanted from 1974 to 1978, and 33.4 acres replanted in 2007. The plot of 22 parcels of land were terraced to improve exposure and ensure more uniform ripening. In the best vintages, parcels 1 to 19 of Malvasia Nera, and 21 and 22 of Sangiovese contribute most to the production of this vineyard selection.
- Altitude: 1510-1720 feet/460–525 meters
- Exposure: North-East/South-West
- Soil: Clay-calcareous
- Vine Training Systems: Vertical trellis, simple Guyot
- Clone Selection: Sangiovese CC2000 1, CC2000 2, CC2000 4, CC2000 5, Malvasia Nera MN6 Portainnesto 420
- Vine Planting Density: 2800-5200 vines/ha
Harvest Notes
- Mild January – March, little rain in March
- May onward quite hot, with almost no precipitation through July
- Mid-August rains
- Malvasia Nera harvested September 14, Sangiovese September 20 – October 4, 2022
- Each variety fermented separately using only indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks at 89-91ºF: 24 days for Sangiovese, 25 days Malvasia Nera
- Manual pumpovers
- Malolactic fermentation in barriques
- Blended and aged 14 months in 40% new fine grained barriques, the remainder once used
Winemaker's Notes
Deep, red ruby. An intense and intriguing nose, with black berry and spice notes. Juicy and succulent on the palate, with a supple texture and complex nuances that build on the lingering finish.
Wine Summary
80% Sangiovese, 20% Malvasia Nera; alcohol: 14.5%; estate Bellavista vineyard at 1510-1720 feet in clay-calcareous soil; hand harvested from September 14 – October 4, 2022; varieties fermented separately using only indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks at 86–91°F; malolactic fermentation in barriques; blended and aged in 40% new, the balance once used barriques for 14 months.
Technical Information
- 80% Sangiovese, 20% Malvasia Nera
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- Total Acidity: 6.4 g/l
- Residual Sugar: <0.5 g/l
- Extract: 31.8 g/l
Reviews
100 Points
#27 of Top 100 Wines of 2025
The 2022 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Bellavista is a total stunner. An exotic mix of blackberry, graphite, cloves, new leather, menthol, sage and lavender stains the palate. Readers will find a Gran Selezione of uncommon depth and gravitas. Time in the glass further reveals the wine’s profound complexity. Strong saline accents wrap up the finish. It’s the wine of the vintage in Chianti Classico and the purest essence of Ama. 2028 – 2044
This is a spectacular set of new releases from Castello di Ama. In recent years, Marco Pallanti has backed off extractions, started doing less saignée and reduced the impact of oak. The results are nothing short of breathtaking. Every wine in the range is stellar, and some are utterly profound. “We had a very hot summer in 2022, then rain in both August and September,” Pallanti explained. “The challenge was waiting for phenolic ripeness. Our harvest wrapped up during the first week of October, which is on the later side for us by today’s standards.” When it comes to what’s in the bottle, few do it better than Castello di Ama. There is simply no substitute for passion, ambition and hard work, qualities that have defined these wines since the 1980s.
Vinous - Antonio Galloni, July, 2025
99 Points
Perfumed and mesmerizing, with aromas of black cherries, crushed stones, dried earth, violets and lavender, like Chianti Classico. Medium-bodied with racy tannins that run the length of the wine and continue on. Crunchy mouthfeel and lightly chewy tannins. Sangiovese and malvasia nera. A year or two more in the bottle will soften some of the edges, but it’s already superb. Available in March 2026. Drink or hold.
jamessuckling.com, July, 2025
98 Points
The Castello di Ama 2022 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Bellavista represents, in my view, the top wine of the estate this year. The first vintage of the “Bellavista” selection was made in the early 1980s and vinified by winemaker Marco Pallanti, who joined the property in 1982. He has described this wine as the “paradigm and reference” of Castello d’Ama. This glorious vineyard dazzles under the sunlight over a slope as you approach the property entrance. In 1978, the estate carried out detailed soil studies, identifying specific parcels with outstanding potential and unique pedoclimatic characteristics. This is one of those sites. This wine shows beautiful richness with inky concentration that makes quite a statement. The seamless bouquet can be described as broad and large, but it is also quite beautiful. I would say it’s more horizontal than vertical in character. It shows thick stratified layers of dark fruit, cherry and plum, ending with hints of sweet earth and spice. Bellavista is Sangiovese enhanced with Malvasia Nera. 2026 – 2048
© Wine Advocate, October, 2025
94 Points
Ripe and juicy, this red reveals black cherry, blackberry, pomegranate, wild Tuscan herb and iron flavors. Dry, dusty tannins line the finish, yet there’s ample fruit, so give this time. Fine length. Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera. Best from 2028 through 2047.
Wine Spectator, October, 2026
100 Points
Pouring a deep purple hue, Bellavista shines from start to finish. From the black cherry and raspberry to dusty earth and truffle, with mocha and vanilla wafting demurely, aromas continue giving. On the floral-strewn palate, sumptuous and succulent dark fruit makes way for graphite-like crunchy minerals. The tannins are velvety smooth, and this is so perfectly sculpted, beautifully poised and elegantly weighted. As rich as it is weightless, it is also piercingly pristine and gracious in its sophistication. Hard to resist now but it promises to reveal more of its profundities with time. Given the recent changes to the Gran Selezione regulations, this iconic bottling will see a reproportioning of Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera. For this vintage though, its time-honoured 80/20 ratio remains unaltered. 2027 – 2042
Decanter, February, 2026
94 Points
The nose is defined by the luxe sweetness of pomegranates, Mission figs, vanilla, and milk chocolate. Black plums join the figs to headline a palate which shifts from the nose’s sweetness to a tangy, tart, citrus feel, but fierce tannins enforce order.
Wine Enthusiast, December, 2026
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 |