2020 Castello di Ama Vigna l'Apparita
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Tasting notes
The nose here is laden with rich, sweet, plummy fruit, with a pleasing perfumed edge of assam tea. This is youthful, with a creaminess, depth and richness still, yet also offering the weightless power that this sit can produce. Italianate acidity provides plenty of energy to cut through the concentrated fruit, and the round, supple tannins are nicely integrated.
The 2020 L’Apparita is spectacular. It has all the opulence you could ask for from the very highest quality Merlot, backed with amazing vibrant acidity and vertical depth thanks to the calcareous soils found at this altitude in Chianti. The nose is ripe and fulsome, bursting with black plum, blackberry pastille and peppery spice oak tones. The tannins on the palate are seamless. They are so compact and wrap around the dense core of ripe black fruit flavours. There is so much energy on the long finish, with dried herb notes and a lovely savoury, lightly dusty textural note that gives the wine a sense of place. This is utterly scintillating and a wine of outrageous quality.
Critic scores
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2020 L'Apparita will soon take its place among the great Apparitas. Unctuous and layered in the glass, the 2020 possesses exceptional balance and tons of character right out of the gate. Exotic scents of blackberry jam, chocolate, new leather, licorice and smoke are so alluring. Imposing tannins need time to soften, but once that happens readers will be treated to a spectacular Apparita that captures all the best the vintage had to offer. Marco Pallanti waited until mid-September (late for the year) to bring in this fruit. That decision paid off handsomely.
Beautiful focus with sage and rosemary to the plum and chocolate character. Some green olives, too. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that caress the palate. Just hints of vanilla and dried flowers to the fruit. Pretty texture and length to the wine at the end. Drinkable but better in 2027.
The 2020 L'Apparita will soon take its place among the great Apparitas. Unctuous and layered in the glass, the 2020 possesses exceptional balance and tons of character right out of the gate. Exotic scents of blackberry jam, chocolate, new leather, licorice and smoke are so alluring. Imposing tannins need time to soften, but once that happens readers will be treated to a spectacular Apparita that captures all the best the vintage had to offer. Marco Pallanti waited until mid-September (late for the year) to bring in this fruit. That decision paid off handsomely.
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.