Castello di Ama
Vigneto La Casuccia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG – 2021
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 La Casuccia vineyard covers 31.09 acres/12.58 hectares, 14.83 acres replanted in 1978 and the remainder replanted in 2007. The plot of 9 parcels of land was terraced to improve exposure and ensure more uniform ripening. In the best vintages, parcels 49, 46 and 45 contribute most to the limited production of this vineyard selection.
- Altitude: 1540-1625 feet/470–495 meters
- Exposure: North-East/South-West
- Soil: Clay-calcareous
- Vine Training Systems: 19.87 acres/8.04h as vertical trellis, simple Guyot; 11.22 acres/4.54h as open lyre
- Clone Selection: Sangiovese CC2000 1, CC2000 2, CC2000 4, CC2000 5, Merlot 343 & 347, Rootstock 420
- Vine Planting Density: 5200 vines/ha
Harvest Notes
- Mild, rainy winter with few days below freezing followed by rather cold spring
- Almost no rain in June, average temperatures
- Hot July followed by dry August
- Cooler nights in late August
- Hand harvested September 13 – October 6, 2021
- Each variety fermented separately using only indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks at 89-91ºF: 26 days for Sangiovese, 25 days Merlot
- Manual pumpovers
- Malolactic fermentation in barriques
- Blended and aged 14 months in 40% new fine grained barriques, the remainder once used
Winemaker's Notes
Pure ruby-red with purplish highlights. Rich, intense aromas of red fruits with tertiary notes. A powerful, sumptuous palate that finishes with harmonious, ripe tannins, delicate and lingering.
Wine Summary
80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot; alcohol: 14%; estate La Casuccia vineyard at 1540-1625 feet feet in clay-calcareous soil; hand harvested from September 13 – October 6, 2021; 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% Merlot
- Alcohol: 14%
- Total Acidity: 5.6 g/l
- Residual Sugar: < 1 g/l
- Extract: 32.5 m/l
Reviews
98 Points
The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto La Casuccia is one of the most open and expressive wines in this range—a wine that hints at the greatness of the year. Crushed rose petal, blood orange, mint, spice, new leather and cedar all saturate the palate. Silky tannins wrap it all together. Sensual and deep, the Casuccia is both immensely pleasurable and very serious. What a wine. 2027 – 2046
Vinous - Antonio Galloni, June, 2024
97 Points
The dark blue fruit is exciting, with blackcurrants, black cherries, raspberries, dark mushrooms and pine cones on both the nose and palate. It’s medium-bodied with fine and tight tannins that give this tension and structure. It’s rather shy now and will need three or four years to show its true self. Try after 2027.
jamessuckling.com, August, 2024
96+ Points
The Castello di Ama 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto La Casuccia is a bit closed on first nose, resulting in a bouquet that has not fully blossomed. I have extended the drinking window as a result. You do furrow out characteristic aromas of black cherry, spice and crushed stone. The wine is flavorful, amply structured and very long on the palate. The nose holds back, but the mouthfeel is raring to go. 2025 -2045
© Wine Advocate, July, 2024
95 Points
Offers ample black cherry and blackberry fruit, while a base of dusty tannins keeps this solidly structured. Earth and tobacco accents add detail, while in the end the silky texture is offset with pointed tannins. The length shows this red’s ultimate potential. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2027 through 2042.
Wine Spectator, May, 2025
95 Points
First planted in 1978, the 12.5ha Casuccia vineyard is divided into nine parcels. A specific selection of these is made each vintage, but the wine always includes a substantial portion of Merlot. The latest release is generously inflected with toast, mocha, liquorice and tobacco aromas. The palate allies fruit sweetness with savoury earthiness – think blueberry and prune plum with mushroom and forest undergrowth. Sumptuously weighted and creamy in texture, its tannins are taut and firm though never hard. There is a distinct umami quality here. 2026 – 2038
Decanter, June, 2025
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 |