2022 Castello di Ama "Bellavista" Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Perfumed and mesmerizing, with aromas of black cherries, crushed stones, dried earth, violets and lavender, like Chianti Classico. Medium-bodied with racy tannins that run the length of the wine and continue on. Crunchy mouthfeel and lightly chewy tannins. Sangiovese and malvasia nera. A year or two more in the bottle will soften some of the edges, but it’s already superb. Available in March 2026. Drink or hold.

The Castello di Ama 2022 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Bellavista represents, in my view, the top wine of the estate this year. The first vintage of the "Bellavista" selection was made in the early 1980s and vinified by winemaker Marco Pallanti, who joined the property in 1982. He has described this wine as the "paradigm and reference" of Castello d'Ama. This glorious vineyard dazzles under the sunlight over a slope as you approach the property entrance. In 1978, the estate carried out detailed soil studies, identifying specific parcels with outstanding potential and unique pedoclimatic characteristics. This is one of those sites. This wine shows beautiful richness with inky concentration that makes quite a statement. The seamless bouquet can be described as broad and large, but it is also quite beautiful. I would say it's more horizontal than vertical in character. It shows thick stratified layers of dark fruit, cherry and plum, ending with hints of sweet earth and spice. Bellavista is Sangiovese enhanced with Malvasia Nera. (ML)