Castello di Ama - Chianti Classico Gran Selezione "Vigneto Bellavista" 2020 (750ml)

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Producer	Castello di Ama
Country	Italy
Region	Tuscany
Varietal	Sangiovese,  Malvasia Nera
Vintage	2020
Sku	203991
Size	750ml

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. 

The Bellavista vineyard covers an area of 56.39 acres/22.82 hectares, with 23 acres replanted from 1974 to 1978, and 33.4 acres replanted in 2007. The plot of 22 parcels of land were terraced to improve exposure and ensure more uniform ripening.

Tasting Note: Saturated ruby-red color. An intense and intruiging rose of blackberries and spices. Succulent and juicy on the palate with a silky, supple texture, nuanced complexity. A wine to enjoy now with time in the glass but also built for cellaring.

The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Bellavista is outrageously beautiful. Graphite, crushed rocks, lavender, menthol and juniper berry all race out of the glass. A dollop of Malvasia Nera adds striking savory/earthy intensity. Black fruit, gravel, incense and cloves build over time, framed by potent Bellavista tannins that need time to soften. 

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.

This has an attractive nose with dried strawberries, plum skins, crushed walnuts and licorice. Full-bodied, compact and structured with velvety tannins and a chocolaty mouthfeel. Really focused and balanced. Long, steady finish. 

The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Bellavista shows an especially dark and saturated character in this vintage with black cherry, savory barbecue spice and cured tobacco. Of the three Gran Selezione releases, the Vigneto Bellavista has the darkest and richest character. This full-bodied red shows etched tannins and lots of rich fruit layering.

Dark shades of blackberry, blueberry, violet and iron infuse this intense yet fluid red, with a hint of dark chocolate. Despite its fine concentration and beautiful balance, this is elegant, with terrific length, showing lingering notes of fruit and spice. Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera.