2019 Castello di Ama San Lorenzo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany

The 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo draws its fruit from various sites selected throughout the estate, and for that reason, it is often the most representative wine from Castello di Ama (despite its more approachable price). This vintage is especially interesting, showing a more formal quality of tannins for longer aging potential and softly extracted dark fruit that sets it apart. Vintner Marco Pallanti likens 2019 to 2004 or 2016, some of the best vintages in recent memory. The wine is partially aged in new oak, and the percentage of new barrels used depends on the vintage conditions. This edition sees 20% new oak, medium toast and fine grains. The team is working with lower temperatures during fermentation with more numerous pump-overs for the first couple of weeks, then the wine is left alone. Fresh cherry fruit, blackberry, spice and grilled herb emerge. This is a production of 80,000 bottles.

I visited with Marco Pallanti at Castello di Ama last year. Dressed in a breezy linen shirt and with a feisty Jack Russell named Bach always at his side, Mr. Pallanti was gearing up for his 40th harvest. "As we say in Italian, I'm turning my 40th leaf," he confides. That 40th leaf marks a big new addition to this historic property in Gaiole in Chianti that straddles the worlds of fine wine and art. In 2021, a new tasting room and visitor center called l'Arca (or "the Ark") was inaugurated. The contemporary design space is lofty and open, making it an ideal spot to soak in the Tuscan atmosphere. The building houses 80,000 bottles and larger formats from the library collection in the basement. Admission to the Ark is free and wines are served by the glass.

95 points Monica Larner robertparker.com

Castello di Ama San Lorenzo is named after the picturesque San Lorenzo valley viewed from the estate’s eighteenth-century Villa Pianigiani and Villa Ricucci.

This wine is produced from the finest grapes grown in the historic vineyards Bellavista, Casuccia, San Lorenzo and Montebuoni.

An expression of Sangiovese blended with the smallest quantities of Merlot and Malvasia Nera, the hallmarks of this complex wine are finesse, elegance, intensity, length and freshness.

Castello di Ama San Lorenzo has a remarkable ability to evolve, developing aromatic complexity and exemplary intensity over time.