Castello di Ama l'Apparita 2007
Tax included.
Winery: Castello di Ama
Vintage: 2007
Grape: Merlot
Drinking window: 2015 - 2040
Region: Tuscany
Production: 14.000 bottles
VINOUS (96)
The 2007 L'Apparita is a bit richer and deeper than the 2009, but it never loses its essential personality. Hints of tertiary complexity are just beginning to develop now that the 2007 has been in bottle for a few years, but the wine is in an in between stage where it is neither young nor mature. Tobacco, wild flowers and menthol are some of the many nuances that emerge over time, but today the 2007 isn't quite ready to show all of its cards. Personally, I would wait a few years more. This is a stunning Apparita from Castello di Ama. Even though 2007 is regarded as warm vintage, this fruit did not come in until September 17, slightly late by Ama's historical standards.
ROBERT PARKER (95)
The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo is immediately more inky and balsamic in terms of aromas. As soon as you lift the wine to your nose, you get pretty tones of blackberry, cassis, rosemary essence, licorice and a touch of medicinal herb. I love when Sangiovese produces those elegant aromas, and for that reason, this wine stands tall among the three single-vineyard expressions from Marco Pallanti and Castello di Ama. It shows fiber, richness and lasting structure with a very well-managed quality of tannins.
About the wine
The Ama estate, with origins dating back to pre-Roman times, was once owned by the Firidolfi family during the Roman Empire. Although the castle was destroyed in the 15th century, it was later rebuilt using the same materials. The modern Castello di Ama winery was established in 1972. The estate has 90 hectares of vineyards, situated at altitudes between 420 and 540 meters, and produces around 350,000 bottles annually. The main grape varieties include Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Nero, and Malvasia Nera. Castello di Ama offers 12 different wines.
L’Apparita, Tuscany's first pure Merlot, has been an iconic wine since its debut in 1985. It comes from two parcels at the top of the Bellavista vineyard. Originally planted with Canaiolo and Malvasia Bianca in 1975, the vines were replanted with Merlot in 1982 using clone 342. The open-lyre training system and predominantly clay soil make this cru a gem in global winemaking. From its first vintage, L’Apparita has showcased a unique expression, where the hallmark qualities of Merlot are beautifully enhanced by the Ama terroir.
Tuscany's 2007 growing season was about three weeks earlier than usual due to a mild, dry winter and record-high temperatures in March and April. A hot July made August rain beneficial, slowing the fast-paced maturation. Early harvests followed, with Chardonnay, while most Sangiovese was harvested two weeks early in September. Fine weather during the final ripening phase allowed optimal harvesting, resulting in healthy grapes, though yields were down by 10%. The best wines of the vintage include Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Rossi di Montepulciano, known for their balance and aromatic intensity. Cabernet-based wines from Bolgheri and promising Merlots also stood out.
