Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo 2020

Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo 2020

 

Zoom Mouse over image to zoom
Castello di Ama
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo 2020
  • Vintage : 2020
  • Country : Italy
  • Region : Tuscany
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Rich and Spicy
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 80% Sangiovese, 13% Merlot, 7% Malvasia

This blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Malvasia Nera captures the essence of Tuscany’s rolling hills, offering elegance, depth, and aging potential.

Experts Score Vintage
JS James Suckling 96 2020
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 95 2020
WS Wine Spectator 94 2020
DCT Decanter 94 2020
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Castello di Ama estate, situated in Gaiole in Chianti, lies at the heart of Tuscany’s historic Chianti Classico region. The vineyards, spanning altitudes from 460 to 525 meters (1,510 to 1,720 feet), benefit from northeast to southeast exposures, ensuring optimal sunlight for even ripening.

The soils, rich in clay and limestone, are ideal for Sangiovese, imparting structure and minerality to the wines. Grapes for San Lorenzo are meticulously selected from the estate’s premier vineyards: Bellavista, Casuccia, San Lorenzo, and Montebuoni. These parcels are managed sustainably and certified by Equalitas, reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship.

The 2020 growing season began with a mild winter followed by cool spring temperatures that slowed vine growth. A warm summer, coupled with timely rains in August, ensured ideal maturation. Harvesting began in mid-September, concluding in early October under favorable weather conditions.

Winemaking

San Lorenzo 2020 is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 13% Merlot, and 7% Malvasia Nera, reflecting the estate’s dedication to blending tradition with precision. The grapes were hand-harvested, and each variety underwent separate fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks using indigenous yeasts.

The Sangiovese fermented for 22 days, Merlot for 25 days, and Malvasia Nera for 26 days, with regular manual pump-overs. The wines then underwent malolactic fermentation in French oak barriques, followed by blending and aging for 12 months in 20% new oak barrels, with the remainder in second-use barrels. This process enhances the wine’s complexity while preserving its vibrant character.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep ruby red with garnet reflections.
  • Aroma: Intense and layered, featuring notes of strawberry, red cherries, and orange zest, accented by hints of licorice, leather, and wet earth.
  • Palate: Medium-bodied and supple, offering flavors of ripe red fruit, subtle spice, and chalky minerality. The tannins are firm yet delicate, leading to a lively, polished finish with echoes of dark red fruit and wood.

Did You Know?

The name San Lorenzo is inspired by the stunning valley visible from Castello di Ama’s historic Villa Pianigiani and Villa Ricucci. This Gran Selezione represents the pinnacle of the estate’s vineyards, reflecting the region’s best terroir and viticultural practices.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Bistecca alla Fiorentina: The wine’s tannins and acidity balance the richness of grilled beef.
  • Wild boar ragu with pappardelle: Its earthy notes and red fruit complement the gamey flavors of the dish.
  • Porcini mushroom risotto: The minerality and depth enhance the umami of the mushrooms.
  • Aged Pecorino Romano: A classic pairing, with the wine’s vibrancy cutting through the cheese’s saltiness.

History of Castello di Ama

Founded in 1976, Castello di Ama is the vision of four families who sought to restore a historic estate to its former glory. Today, the estate is led by Lorenza Sebasti, daughter of one of the founding partners, serving as CEO, alongside Marco Pallanti, who has been the estate's oenologist since 1982 and has also served as President of the Chianti Classico Consortium.

Under their leadership, Castello di Ama has become synonymous with innovation and excellence. In the 1980s, the estate played a pivotal role in consolidating the concept of "cru" in Chianti Classico, producing selections such as Vigneto Bellavista (first vintage in 1978) and Vigneto La Casuccia (first vintage in 1985). Their commitment to quality and terroir expression has placed Castello di Ama among the leading wineries in Italy.

Region and Vineyards

The vineyards of Castello di Ama are situated at altitudes ranging between 420 and 527 meters (1,378 to 1,729 feet) above sea level, encompassing approximately 75 hectares (185 acres) around the village of Ama. These vineyards are distributed across four valleys, traditionally known as Bellavista, San Lorenzo, La Casuccia, and Montebuoni, each contributing unique characteristics to the wines.

  • Bellavista Vineyard: Covering 22.5 hectares, this south/southwest-facing vineyard lies between 427 and 515 meters in elevation. The soil is predominantly pebbly clay and limestone, ideal for Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera. Since 1978, it has produced the esteemed Vigneto Bellavista cru.

  • San Lorenzo Vineyard: Spanning 16.5 hectares at altitudes between 466 and 525 meters, this east/southeast-facing vineyard is named after a 15th-century chapel in Ama. Acquired in 1972, it serves as the primary source for the Gran Selezione San Lorenzo.

  • La Casuccia Vineyard: Extending over 16.1 hectares at elevations ranging from 483 to 527 meters, this vineyard is notable for its terraced layout with north/south-oriented rows. The clay-rich soil with abundant stones contributes to the complexity of the Vigneto La Casuccia cru, first produced in 1985.

  • Montebuoni Vineyard: Acquired in 1997, this 14.7-hectare vineyard faces south/southwest and sits between 420 and 508 meters in altitude. The soil varies from clay-rich at lower elevations to limestone and stony at higher points, enhancing the diversity of the estate's wine portfolio.

The combination of high elevation, limestone-clay soils, and meticulous vineyard management practices, including high-density planting and sustainable farming, enables Castello di Ama to produce wines of exceptional character and longevity.

Wine Range of Castello di Ama

Castello di Ama produces a variety of wines that highlight the terroir and the nuances of each vintage:

  • Chianti Classico Gran Selezione: Wines like San Lorenzo, Vigneto Bellavista, and Vigneto La Casuccia set benchmarks for excellence with their structured and elegant profiles.

  • L’Apparita: A 100% Merlot wine, recognized as one of Tuscany’s finest mono-varietal wines, first produced in 1985.

  • Ama Chianti Classico: A younger expression of the estate, crafted from the estate’s younger vines, offering freshness and approachability.

Did You Know?

Castello di Ama’s dedication to art and culture is exemplified by its contemporary art installations throughout the estate. These works, commissioned from internationally renowned artists, provide a modern counterpoint to the estate’s historic architecture and timeless wines.

James Suckling (JS) : 96 Points (2020)
Aromas of black cherries with flowers and sliced dried oranges. Medium-bodied with very tight tannins and a firm and racy finish. Shows polish yet strength. Give this at least four or five years to open.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 95 Points (2020)
The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Ama San Lorenzo is fabulous. It offers up a compelling mix of blackberry, graphite, crushed rocks, spice, lavender and black pepper, showing striking inner sweetness, gorgeous mid-palate pliancy and mid-blowing balance, all in a medium-bodied style that will be approachable with minimal cellaring. San Lorenzo remains an archetype for contemporary Chianti Classico. Production is down about 30% in 2020 because of stringent selection. 2025 – 2040 Lorenza Sebasti and Marco Pallanti presented a stellar set of new releases. Ama bottled all of their flagship wines in 2020, but readers should be aware these are some of the most reticent wines of the year. Patience is essential. That should not be much of an issue, as the Ama flagships all boast super track records when it comes to aging. In recent years, the wines have acquired an extra touch of finesse that is palpable.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 94 Points (2020)
A ripe style, boasting plum, blackberry and pomegranate flavors, shaded by iron, wild herbs and spice accents. Linear, despite the luscious fruit, with a firm underpinning of tannins lining the extended finish. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2043.

Decanter (DCT) : 94 Points (2020)
Made with a selection of the best estate Sangiovese (with a hint of Merlot and Malvasia Nera) from across various parcels, the Castello di Ama 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo is chiseled and dark with a through-line of dark mineral and crushed rock. That dry mineral note forms a precise frame around dark fruit and oak spice. The wine has drying tannins and a long, polished finish. 2024 – 2038

Castello di Ama Chianti Classico AMA 2022
Castello di Ama Chianti Classico AMA 2022
Castello di Ama
Chianti Classico AMA 2022
DCT
91
VN
91
JS
94
With its polished tannins, crisp acidity, and fragrant aromas, this is a quintessential Chianti Classico, perfect for immediate enjoyment or cellaring.
30,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Castello di Ama L
Castello di Ama L'Apparita 2019
Castello di Ama
L'Apparita 2019
WS
95
RP
98
VN
98
Castello di Ama L’Apparita 2019 is a Tuscan icon, celebrated as the first single-varietal Merlot in Italy, delivering unmatched elegance, depth, and finesse.
315,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Castello di Ama Vigneto Bellavista Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2019
Castello di Ama Vigneto Bellavista Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2019
Castello di Ama
Vigneto Bellavista Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2019
WS
97
RP
98
W&S
95
Vigneto Bellavista 2019 represents the pinnacle of Castello di Ama’s artistry, offering an exceptional blend of Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera that epitomizes the elegance and complexity of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione.
340,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Castello di Ama Vigneto La Casuccia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2019
Castello di Ama Vigneto La Casuccia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2019
Castello di Ama
Vigneto La Casuccia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2019
WS
97
RP
97
W&S
97
A masterpiece of Tuscan winemaking, La Casuccia 2019 captivates with its intense aromas, complex structure, and a finish that lingers gracefully on the palate, marking it as a true benchmark for Chianti Classico.
295,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
75,00 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
We also suggest...
Italy
98 Robert Parker
Castello di Ama L'Apparita 2019
Castello di Ama L'Apparita 2019
Castello di Ama L’Apparita 2019 is a Tuscan icon, celebrated as the first single-varietal Merlot in Italy, delivering unmatched elegance, depth, and finesse.
L'Apparita 2019
315,00 €
Italy
92 Robert Parker
La Spinetta Pin Monferrato 2020
La Spinetta Pin Monferrato 2020
A postcard from Piedmont to express the love for our land, an affection that Giuseppe Rivetti, known as “Pin”, taught his sons Carlo, Bruno and Giorgio. The synergy between Barbera and Nebbiolo results in a bouquet of fruit, flowers, and spices. The balance between tannins and acidity makes this wine a perfect companion for food.
Pin Monferrato 2020
43,90 €
Lebanon
90+ Robert Parker
Ixsir El Ixsir 2016
Ixsir El Ixsir 2016
A deep purple-ruby color. Nice complexity of aromas with red fruits, blackberry liqueur, touches of incense, and notes of mint and cedar sap. The palate a continuation of the nose, suave and intense, with a nice mineral tension characteristic of great limestone terroirs. A fresh finish and an extended length which reveals a great aging aptitude.
El Ixsir 2016
75,00 €
Portugal
96 Robert Parker
Quinta do Crasto Tinta Roriz 2017
Quinta do Crasto Tinta Roriz 2017
Released only in the finest years, this wine is made with 100% Tinta Roriz. Vivid and deep in color with intense ripe fruit aromas and notes of oak. Soft and round on the palate, very well balanced. A long and lingering finish.
Tinta Roriz 2017
69,00 €
Australia
94 Robert Parker
House of Arras Tasmania Grand Vintage 2013
House of Arras Tasmania Grand Vintage 2013
Arras Grand Vintage 2013 is a world-class Tasmanian sparkling wine, expertly crafted using the méthode traditionnelle, offering an exquisite balance of elegance, complexity, and age-worthy structure.
Tasmania Grand Vintage 2013
68,80 €
USA
Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
39,90 €