1997 Vigna l'Apparita
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Tasting notes
A more extracted style emerges in tasting the 1997 L’Apparita. Hints of tobacco, dried cherry, spice and crushed flowers are all indicative of a wine that has lost some freshness and that is close to being fully mature. In this tasting, the 1997 is the wine that marks a very clear dividing line between the style favored at Ama in the 1980s and 1990s and the choices that inform the wines today.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1997 L'Apparita remains fresh, vibrant and striking in its beauty, with very little in the way of tertiary aromatic development. Still rich, powerful and deep, the 1997 is just beginning to enter the early pear of its drinking window. This is a great showing and easily one of the most impressive wines in the vertical. Hints of bacon, grilled herbs and olives linger on a finish that deftly balances sweet and savory notes with tons of elegance. The 1997 should continue to drink well for another decade-plus. At the time, 1997 was considered a very hot year. Today, those conditions are considered normal.
The stunning 1997 l'Apparita exhibits a deep ruby/purple color in addition to a distinctive nose of mocha, espresso bean, cherry liqueur, and blackberries. Full-bodied, dry, and rich, with good sweetness and fatness on the mid-palate, this long, dense, still youthful wine requires an additional 3-5 years of cellaring; it should keep for two decades. New oak (about 70% new French wood is utilized) plays a secondary role in the wine's aromatic and flavor profiles. (Not yet released) A Leonardo Locascio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620
The stunning 1997 l'Apparita exhibits a deep ruby/purple color in addition to a distinctive nose of mocha, espresso bean, cherry liqueur, and blackberries. Full-bodied, dry, and rich, with good sweetness and fatness on the mid-palate, this long, dense, still youthful wine requires an additional 3-5 years of cellaring; it should keep for two decades. New oak (about 70% new French wood is utilized) plays a secondary role in the wine's aromatic and flavor profiles. Aug 2000, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Castello di Ama is one of the pre-eminent estates in Chianti Classico. Situated in the southern-most district of the appellation, the estate has only been making wine since the late 1970s but has since built a reputation as one of the region’s best.