2017 Chianti Classico San Lorenzo Gran Selezione
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Tasting notes
With 2017’s hot and dry conditions, winemaker Marco Pallanti decided to make just one Gran Selezione “super cuvée” – using the best fruit from the estate’s four core vineyards for their San Lorenzo bottling. The result is instantly appealing – offering complex aromatics of coffee, cocoa nibs, sweet black cherry, spice and crunchy cranberry with an almost menthol edge and that classic Sangiovese dustiness. On the palate it’s silken and balanced. An amazingly elegant wine from such a tricky year, there is a core or ripe red-berry fruit, but with a sour-cherry freshness. The elegant yet firm tannins call for air and red meat or cheese, but will resolve with time in bottle. The finish is savoury and saline, leaving you reaching for another glass.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Ama San Lorenzo is a fabulous choice for readers looking for an Ama wine to drink now. Radiant and expressive, with striking depth and exceptional balance, the 2017 is pure seduction. Sweet red cherry, kirsch, rose petal, blood orange and spice fill out the layers effortlessly. This is so beautifully done.
Cherries, dried flowers and slate on the nose with some fresh mushrooms. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a juicy, chewy finish. Lots of structure and freshness to this. Extremely serious as always. Tight and focused. Try after 2024.
Gaiole in Chianti. 80% Sangiovese, 13% Merlot, 7% Malvasia Nera. Mid to deep crimson. Rich sweet-sour cherry fruit of impressive depth with savoury, minerally hints. Multi-layered, generous and quite ripe fruit, but offset by tangy acidity and a layer of powdery tannins. Well balanced and in need of further age. (WS)
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.