2013 Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Ama DOCG 750 ml

Castello di Ama: Marco Pallanti’s Tuscan Grand Cru

First, Gambero Rosso crowned winemaker Marco Pallanti “Enologist of the Year.” Then Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar called Castello Di Ama the “Grand Cru” of Tuscany. Not to be outdone, Antonio Galloni called Pallanti a “true visionary,” describing Marco as having “painstaking attention to detail, along with an uncompromising commitment to quality.” Finally, as always, it’s Robert Parker who has had the last word on this legendary Tuscan estate by scoring an unmatched 14 Castello di Ama wines at 95 or higher points.

Marco Pallanti assumed control of Castello di Ama 30 years ago and immediately went about designing one of the more daring viticultural redevelopment projects. After conducting extensive soil studies on each of the undulating hillsides of the property, Pallanti began experimenting with radical V-shaped vertical canopies, designed to push the envelope on ripeness in low-density vineyards. Then he analyzed Sangiovese clones in search of those that were earliest to mature, all in the hope of nursing extravagant wild-berry concentration from his Sangiovese plants.

Castello di Ama’s most critically acclaimed cuvée is from the single-vineyard Bellavista, an almost black-fruit take on Chianti Classico drawn from a fully exposed 23-hectare vineyard planted 40 years ago. In many ways more like a modernist’s take on Brunello than anything from the commune of Gaiole in Chianti, Pallanti’s “Bellavista” is one of Tuscany’s brightest stars.

But in most vintages, we prefer Castello di Ama’s Chianti Classico Ama, with its gorgeous red-fruit aromatics and high-tension Burgundian flash. In a mild 2013 growing season that gave birth to Sangioveses of stunning floral complexity, Pallanti again turned out one of the top wines of the year, once again bringing the house down at The Wine Advocate.

Vivid ruby to the edge, with delicate aromas of black cherry, licorice, and sandalwood. Rich, juicy, and precise on the attack, filled with a mix of crushed red fruits and cherry. Best to decant for a half hour before serving, as oxygen is this gorgeous Sangiovese’s friend. Finishes with terrific persistence and length. Drink now-2022.

$24/bottle on today’s Direct Import. Shipping included on 6.