2019 Castello di Ama San Lorenzo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 750 ml

• Sangiovese
• 2019
• Italy
• Chianti Classico DOCG

• The Story

  The first Sangiovese we ever sold in our online store wasn’t a Brunello, it was Castello di Ama’s San Lorenzo—but in all our years we’ve never offered a vintage like the 2019. Born of one of the greatest Tuscan vintages in recent memory, it boasts 97-point praise from James Suckling and from The Wine Independent, where it was reviewed by the former editor-in-chief of Parker’s Advocate. This is a powerhouse bottling that’s one of the most masterful, rich, deep, dark Chiantis we’ve tasted in a decade. It’s born of the top lots from four of Castello di Ama’s best vineyards—and while captivating now, it’s on pace to be epic with a decade-plus of age.

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• Wine Facts
  • Fruit Intensity
  • Oak Intensity
  • Body
  • Acidity
  • Tannin

  • ABV 13.50%
  • 1.5 hours
  • Now - 2040
  • % Sangiovese
  • Serving temperature - 58°
  • Cork
• Wine Access Tasting Note

  Powerful and seductive, a dusty and inviting red ruby decorates the glass. Aromas are led by dark plum, cherry, and sun-drenched red roses, along with a complex realm of herbal notes led by tobacco, rosemary, and tomato leaf. The mouthfeel is bold and impactful, with red fruits wrapped in layers of earth-driven spice and a long finish. Drink now–2040.

• Food Pairings
  • Hard Cheese
  • Red Meat
• Critic Reviews

  97 pts

  James Suckling

  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 pts

  The Wine Independent

  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.”