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Profile
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2018: best 2026 to 2043.
vintage8 yrs25 yrs27 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Wine Advocate reviewed 2018 | 2015 | 98/100 |
| Vinous reviewed 2021 | 2018 | 95/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
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.More wines for truffles →
- Aged Parmigiano Reggiano Sweet umami of the cheese meets the wine's iron and dark fruit.More wines for aged hard cheese →
- Squab with cherry reduction Game and cherry double the wine's dark-fruit register.More wines for game →Find squab with cherry reduction on TableJourney →
With cheese
How to serve Castello di Ama L'Apparita
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Rare beef tenderloin with truffle, Aged Parmigiano Reggiano, Squab with cherry reduction. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
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.
- 1985First vintage of L'Apparita
Facts
- Producer
- Castello di Ama · visiting guide
- 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
Frequently asked about Castello di Ama L'Apparita
What does Castello di Ama L'Apparita taste like?
On the nose, black cherry, graphite, violet, mocha. On the palate, plum compote, polished oak, iron, espresso. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Castello di Ama's cult 100 percent Merlot Toscana IGT from a tiny Gaiole parcel, plush and graphite-mineral.
When should I drink Castello di Ama L'Apparita?
Drink 8 to 25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Castello di Ama L'Apparita?
Rare beef tenderloin with truffle is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Aged Parmigiano Reggiano and Squab with cherry reduction. Merlot's plush texture matches tenderloin while graphite finds truffle.
What grapes are in Castello di Ama L'Apparita?
The blend is Merlot (100%). The wine is classified as Toscana IGT.
Tags
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