February 2, 2012 – Castello di Ama Tasting with Marco Pallanti, Lower Falls Wine, Newton, MA
Thanks to Castello di Ama proprietor/winemaker Marco Pallanti, and the staff of Lower Falls Wine, for hosting this exciting tasting. Although some of the prices are admittedly high, these are clearly some of the best Tuscan wines available. The single vineyard Chiantis and the L’Apparita are only made in selected years; obviously, 2007 was a top year for di Ama. (Note that none of the Chiantis are labeled as Riservas.)
2009 al Poggio IGT Toscana
Mostly Chardonnay, with some Pinot Gris. Medium-bodied, fresh, somewhat round and oily; well balanced, with moderate acidity. Very floral/mineral, with peach and apple notes. Very good/excellent – really better than expected.
2010 Il Chiuso IGT Toscana
Blend of Sangiovese and Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied, quite elegant, well balanced, with good underlying acidity, and light to moderate tannin. Lightly spicy, with red fruit, floral, and mineral notes. Very good/excellent.
2007 Chianti Classico
Mostly Sangiovese, with small amounts of Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied, focused, very refined and finesse-driven; well balanced, with good underlying acidity. Lightly spicy/floral/earthy, with very pure fruit; shows notes of red fruits, red currants, and roses. Excellent.
2007 Chianti Classico Vigneto La Casuccia
Single vineyard blend of Sangiovese, with a tiny amount of Merlot. With the Merlot component, I was anticipating that this might be a more modern-styled Chianti than it actually was.
Some initial funk on the nose that quickly blows off. Fuller, very structured, smooth, and nicely balanced, with good finesse and underlying acidity. Shows very pure red and black fruit flavors, along with stony and earthy notes. Excellent.
2007 Chianti Classico Vigneto Bellavista
Another single vineyard wine, mostly Sangiovese, with a bit of Malvasia Nera. Earthy/herbal/mountain air nose. Full-bodied, a bit more tannic, nicely structured, very elegant, and nicely balanced, with good acidity. Very Burgundian in character, with an added alpine dimension, and notes of red fruits, spices, dried earth, and minerals. Excellent/outstanding; I’d have to say that this is the best Chianti that I’ve ever tasted.
2007 L’Apparita IGT Toscana
100% Merlot from three small parcels in the Vigneto Bellavista. Elegant plum/rose/vanilla nose. Full-bodied, quite structured, rich, very pure and finesse-driven; with a silky texture. Tastes of red berries, cherries, blackberries, plums, with subtle elements of woodiness and spice, and just a bit of youthful sweetness. Excellent/outstanding.