Castello di Ama L'Apparita

In the glass

Aroma: black cherry, graphite, violet, mocha

Palate: plum compote, polished oak, iron, espresso

Castello di Ama's cult 100 percent Merlot Toscana IGT from a tiny Gaiole parcel, plush and graphite-mineral.

What it pairs with

• Rare beef tenderloin with truffle
  Merlot's plush texture matches tenderloin while graphite finds truffle.
• Aged Parmigiano Reggiano
  Sweet umami of the cheese meets the wine's iron and dark fruit.
• Squab with cherry reduction Find squab with cherry reduction on TableJourney →
  Game and cherry double the wine's dark-fruit register.

History

A pure Merlot from a tiny high-altitude parcel at Gaiole, first vintage 1985. One of the first single-vineyard Merlots produced in Chianti Classico's heart.

1. 1985 — First vintage of L'Apparita

Facts

Producer

Castello di Ama

Grapes

Merlot (100%)

Classification

Toscana IGT

Oak

15 months in French oak barriques, predominantly new

ABV

14.0%

Price

EUR 250 to 400 at retail

Drinking window

8 to 25 from vintage

First vintage

1985

Scores

• Wine Advocate 98 (2015 vintage, reviewed 2018)
• Vinous 95 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2021)

Tags