CASTELLO DI AMA
VIGNETO BELLAVISTA
CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAN SELEZIONE DOCG
Beginning in 1978, certain parcels were identified as possessing outstanding soil and microclimates
due to extensive research into the terroir of the Castello di Ama vineyards.
1982 was Marco Pallanti’s first harvest. Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Bellavista
has always set the standard for the fine wines of Castello di Ama.
A blend of Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera, the wine fully conveys its distinctive personality
with the Malvasia Nera aromas, which lend a floral and intriguing character.
Alongside the beauty of the bouquet, this wine is essentially centred on the finesse
and elegance of the palate and “that subtle alternation between muscular power and grace”.
Harvest Notes
1st quarter of 2020 without winter – clear, sunny days and no snow
March brought lower temperatures and slowed growth
Warmth of summer and soil moisture led to good maturation
End August rain and September cool nights and warm days created good ripening and aromatic development
Hand harvesting began mid-late September, ended October 8
Each variety fermented separately using only indigenous yeasts at in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks from 86–91ºF
Manual pumpovers
Sangivovese fermentation for 22 days
Malvasia Nera fermentation for 26 days
Wines racked into barriques for malolactic fermentation
Aged 14 months in 40% new, fine grained barriques, the balance in 1 year old barriques
Winemaker's Notes
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.
Wine Summary
80% Sangiovese, 20% Malvasia Nera; Alcohol: 13.5%; Vines planted 1974-1978 and 2007; soils clay and calcareous; hand harvested from mid-late September to October 8; fermented separately using only indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks at 86–91°F; malolactic fermentation in barriques; aged in 40% new, balance 1 year used barriques for 14 months.
Technical Information
80% Sangiovese, 20% Malvasia Nera
Alcohol: 13.5%
Total Acidity: 5.2 g/l
Residual Sugar: < 0.5 g/l
Extract: 31.3 mg/l
CASTELLO DI AMA
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. Ama has practiced sustainable viticulture since the end of the 1990s, and recently received Equalitas (Italy) certification.