Castello di Ama
Vinsanto – 2016
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
Premium selections of Malvasia Bianca and Trebbiano Toscano, exclusively from estate La Casuccia Vineyard.
- Altitude: 1500 feet/450 meters
- Exposure: Northwest – Southwest
- Soil: Very rocky clay and limestone
- Vine Training System: Vertical Trellis
- Planting Density: 5200 plants/ha
Harvest Notes
- Mild, rainy winter with high April temperatures following
- Variable weather through June, July normal, and a bit of hail in August
- Grapes hand harvested and garlands left to dry in special moisture-free, wellventilated rooms until sugars reached desired concentration
- Fruit & stems gently pressed, static racking
- Must transfered to used 200 liter Allier French oak barriques for natural fermentation
Winemaker's Notes
Brilliant amber-hued yellow with golden nuances. Fruity with apricot and dried fruit notes. Truly elegant and refined, with good acid verve and a moderate sugar content flanked by well-balanced alcohol. An eclectic meditation wine, perfect not only for pairing with desserts but also as an aperitif or served with ripe cheeses.
Wine Summary
65% Malvasia Bianca, 35% Trebbiano Toscano; alcohol: 13.5%; grapes exclusively from La Casuccia vineyard; grown in very rocky clay and limestone soils at 1500 feet; hand harvested grape garlands dried Appassimento style in moisture-free controlled rooms until desired sugar concentration; fermented naturally and aged in neutral 200L French oak barrelsfor 5 years before bottling.
Technical Information
- 65% Malvasia Bianca, 35% Trebbiano Toscano
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- Total Acidity: 6.7 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 78.3 g/l
- Extract: 108 g/l
Reviews
(90-92) Points
The 2016 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is a good example of the Ama house style, a style that favors freshness over richness. Scents of orange peel, spice, mint, dried leaves and incense open nicely with some coaxing. Tasted from tank, just prior to bottling, the 2016 is shaping up nicely. 2022 – 2028
Vinous - Antonio Galloni, June, 2022
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 |