Castello di Ama : L'Apparita 2022

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for L'Apparita 2022 from Castello di Ama

Tasting

Color
This wine reveals a particularly deep, impenetrable purple-red color.

Nose
Highly elegant and refined, the aromatic bouquet releases scents of red and black fruits, accompanied by delicate notes of violet and nuts.

Palate
The palate reveals an extremely elegant profile, with rich concentration and a juicy character. The whole is supported by bright acidity, leading to a long, nuanced finish.

Food and Wine Pairing
To accompany this great red wine, choose grilled or roasted red meats, such as dry-aged rib of beef or rack of lamb. It also pairs wonderfully with dishes in mushroom sauce, game such as wild boar or venison, and aged hard cheeses like pecorino.

Serving and Cellaring
With exceptional aging potential, this wine is built for very long cellaring and can be enjoyed until around 2044.

L'Apparita, the Pure Expression of Merlot in Tuscany by Castello di Ama

The Estate
Founded in 1976 by four Roman families, Castello di Ama is now run by Lorenza Sebasti. Located in Gaiole in Chianti, in the heart of Tuscany, this exceptional estate covers 75 hectares of vineyards and 40 hectares of olive groves. A pioneer of the parcel-by-parcel approach and committed to certified sustainable viticulture, the estate also stands out for its close ties to contemporary art, hosting site-specific works. Under the technical direction of Marco Pallanti, the estate produces world-renowned wines that combine respect for its high-altitude terroir with enological innovation.

The Vineyard
The grapes come exclusively from two plots at the top of the Bellavista cru, at an altitude of 490 meters. This unique terroir in Tuscany enjoys a north-south exposure and rests on clay-limestone soils that are particularly rich in clay. The vines, planted at a density of 2,800 per hectare, are trained using the rare open lyre system. This method, combined with clone 342, promotes optimal air circulation and brings out the best qualities of the grapes on this high-altitude terroir.

The Vintage
The year began with a mild winter and spring, with rainfall in line with seasonal averages. From May onward, the weather became exceptionally hot and very dry. The return of rain in mid-August proved a saving grace. Thanks to the impeccable health of the bunches, the vineyard remained entirely free of disease. The Merlot harvest took place in ideal conditions on September 12.

Vinification and Aging
For this 2022 vintage, fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks, at a carefully controlled temperature of between 30 and 32°C. Manual pump-overs were carried out during a total maceration period of 25 days. After an initial racking, malolactic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. Finally, the wine was aged for around 14 months in fine-grain oak barriques, 40% of which were new, the remainder being second-fill barrels.

Grape Variety
Merlot (100%)