In the glass
Aroma: black cherry, mocha, violet, blood orange
Palate: cherry liqueur, graphite, sweet spice, dark plum
The Merlot-leaning sibling to Bellavista, deeper-fruited with mocha and dark cherry through a long Sangiovese acid spine.
What it pairs with
-
Roast duck breast with cherry
Cherry-on-cherry doubling intensifies the cuvee's fruit. -
Beef short rib stew
Find beef short rib stew on TableJourney →
Slow-cooked beef and red wine reduction match the wine's plush mid-palate. -
Lampredotto sandwich
Find lampredotto sandwich on TableJourney →
Florence's tripe-roll street food meets a Gran Selezione for an unexpected counterpoint.
How to serve Castello di Ama Vigneto La Casuccia
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. Roast duck breast with cherry, Beef short rib stew, Lampredotto sandwich. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Reintroduced after a long pause as a single-vineyard Gran Selezione; the La Casuccia parcel adds a small dose of Merlot to the Sangiovese base for a deeper-fruited profile.
- 1985 — First vintage of the La Casuccia label
- 2010 — Reclassified Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Facts
- Producer
- Castello di Ama
- Grapes
- Sangiovese (80%), Merlot (20%)
- Classification
- Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione
- Oak
- 16 months in French oak tonneaux, partly new
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 150 to 250 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8 to 25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1985
Scores
- Wine Advocate 97 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
- Vinous 95 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Castello di Ama Vigneto La Casuccia
What does Castello di Ama Vigneto La Casuccia taste like?
On the nose, black cherry, mocha, violet, blood orange. On the palate, cherry liqueur, graphite, sweet spice, dark plum. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The Merlot-leaning sibling to Bellavista, deeper-fruited with mocha and dark cherry through a long Sangiovese acid spine.
When should I drink Castello di Ama Vigneto La Casuccia?
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 Vigneto La Casuccia?
Roast duck breast with cherry is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Beef short rib stew and Lampredotto sandwich. Cherry-on-cherry doubling intensifies the cuvee's fruit.
What grapes are in Castello di Ama Vigneto La Casuccia?
The blend is Sangiovese (80%), Merlot (20%). The wine is classified as Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione.