Castello di Ama
Vinsanto – 2017
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 the estate La Casuccia Vineyard.
- Altitude: 1500 feet/460 meters
- Exposure: Northwest – Southwest
- Soil: Clay-calcareous
- Vine Training System: Vertical trellis with single Guyot
- Planting Density: 5200 plants/ha
Harvest Notes
- Early cold and rain
- Warm March followed by severe frost April 21
- Very hot May and June, and hot August
- September 10 heavy rain, then coldest September in 15 years
- Hand harvested (1-2 bunches/vine) August 21 – October 2
- Grapes hand harvested and garlands left to dry in special moisture-free, well ventilated 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
Bright yellow amber with gold highlights. Dried fruits and apricot aromas. Refined, elegant palate with balanced sweetness and alcohol. Eclectic, fresh with a long finish.
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 barrels for 5 years before bottling.
Technical Information
- 65% Malvasia Bianca, 35% Trebbiano Toscano
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- Total Acidity: 6.4 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 78 g/l
- Extract: 108 g/l
Reviews
91 Points
The 2017 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is a very pretty, ethereal wine done in a style that emphasizes aromatics and mid-weight structure more than richness. Almond, hazelnut, orange peel and dried flowers are all beautifully lifted in this understated, classy Vin Santo. 2023 – 2029
Vinous - Antonio Galloni, June, 2023
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 |