Castello Di Ama, Vigna L'Apparita 1989

Castello Di Ama Vigna L'Apparita 1989 is one of Tuscany’s true cult reds – a pure Merlot from Chianti Classico long before the region became known for international varieties. From its first vintages, L’Apparita redefined what Italian Merlot could be, marrying Bordeaux-like finesse with unmistakably Tuscan personality. The 1989 is a rare, fully mature bottle from the estate’s pioneering years, offering a unique glimpse into the early history of this now-iconic cru.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 1989 L’Apparita typically shows a deep garnet core shading to brick and tawny hues at the rim, reflecting its three decades of evolution. Expect some signs of age on the bottle and label, but a well-stored example can still pour bright and limpid, with a refined, translucent depth rather than opaque power. The nose is complex and tertiary: dried black cherry and plum interwoven with notes of leather, tobacco leaf, cedar, and forest floor. Hints of truffle, cocoa, dried violets, and a subtle balsamic lift often emerge with air, recalling great aged Right Bank Bordeaux but with a distinctly Tuscan earthiness. On the palate, the wine is now about nuance and texture rather than primary fruit. Silky, resolved tannins frame flavors of macerated red and black fruits, sweet spices, dried herbs, and savory umami notes. The acidity, a hallmark of Chianti Classico terroir, keeps the wine fresh and focused, while the finish is long, gently tapering, and finely layered. At this age, bottles are at or near peak, and further aging potential depends heavily on individual storage; well-cellared examples may still offer several years of graceful drinking, but this is very much a wine to enjoy in its mature phase.

Production
L’Apparita is sourced from two small parcels perched at the top of the Bellavista vineyard in Chianti Classico, an elevated site with predominantly clay-rich soils that suit Merlot exceptionally well, giving the wine both depth and velvety texture. The vines are trained in an open lyre system, which optimizes sun exposure and air flow, helping the grapes achieve full ripeness while retaining freshness. Grapes are harvested by hand, carefully selected in the vineyard and at the winery to ensure only perfectly ripe clusters are used. Fermentation for Castello di Ama’s reds takes place in tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation in barrel, where the wine softens and gains complexity. L’Apparita, like the estate’s top reds, is then aged in barriques (with a significant proportion of new oak in its youth), allowing the fine-grained tannins, spice notes, and structure that have helped the 1989 evolve so gracefully over time.

Food & Serving
This mature Merlot calls for refined, savory dishes that respect its delicacy and complexity. Ideal pairings include veal or lamb roasted with herbs, braised beef cheeks, game birds, or truffle-inflected dishes such as risotto or tagliatelle with porcini. Aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Toscano, or well-matured Comté also work beautifully, echoing the wine’s nutty, savory tones. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Bordeaux-style stems to allow the aromatics to fully express themselves. Given its age, stand the bottle upright for several hours before opening, and decant gently just before service to separate sediment and give the wine a brief chance to open up—30 minutes is usually sufficient, as prolonged decanting can cause fragile old wines to fade.

Producer
Castello di Ama is one of the benchmark estates of Chianti Classico, situated around the tiny village of Ama in the hills of Tuscany. The site has a long history dating back to Roman times, with records showing that a family named Firidolfi owned a castle there; the present-day estate buildings were rebuilt in the early 1700s on the original foundations using the same stone. In the early 1970s, inspired by the beauty and potential of the landscape praised as early as 1773 by Grand Duke Leopold II of Tuscany, Tomaso Carini and three friends—Gian Vittorio Cavanna, Pietro Tradico and Lionello Sebasti—set out to revitalize the property. They replanted vineyards, introduced modern cellar technology, and established Castello di Ama as a leader in quality and innovation. The arrival of agronomist and winemaker Marco Pallanti in 1982, trained in Bordeaux under Patrick Léon, marked a turning point: under his guidance, the estate pioneered single-vineyard Gran Selezione wines like Bellavista, La Casuccia, and San Lorenzo, and created L’Apparita, the first pure Merlot produced in Tuscany, in 1985. Today the estate is led by Lorenza Sebasti, daughter of Lionello, and remains one of the most respected names in Chianti Classico, renowned for its terroir-driven wines that combine elegance, depth, and ageworthiness.

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