Perfumed and beautiful with flowers, cherries and raspberries. Forest fruits, too. Full-bodied with extremely fine tannins that run the length of the wine and are wonderfully integrated, spreading across the palate. Lasts for minutes. Better after 2025, but already fantastic.
97 points, James Suckling (Dec 2022)
The 2019 Castello di Ama Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo is made from a blend of the finest grapes from four historic vineyards, Bellavista, Casuccia, San Lorenzo and Montebuoni. It is a Sangiovese-dominant wine with up to 20% of Merlot and Malvasia Nera. This last point is likely to become a bone of contention in the future because in 5 years’ time the Gran Selezione category will exclude non-native varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot even though the Merlot has by now become affected by the 'terroir'; according to winemaker and owner, Marco Pallenti it has become 'a native' over time. In any case this 2019 is a very pretty, bright and joyful wine with plenty of black fruit and spicy red plum flavors. It is delightfully harmonious, balanced, and complete on the palate with a long, savory, saltiness that according to Pallenti, “comes come from the limestone soil.” Although Castello D'Ama are not certified as organic, Pallenti says, “I try to be as much organic as possible. We stopped using insecticide in 2000 and we use sexual confusion methods to deter vineyard pests and reduce sprays.”
97 points, Susan Hulme, Wine Independent (Sep 2022)
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.
95 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Feb 2023)
Sleek and racy, featuring cherry, blackberry, violet and iron aromas and flavors. This red is more about fruit and finesse, though there's an element of wild Mediterranean scrub. Firm, with dense, resonant tannins and a long finish. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2045. 5,855 cases made, 600 cases imported.
95 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Sep 2023)
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