Castello di Ama L'Apparita 2017

Drink now or cellar for up to 24 years. Decant 1 hour before serving.

A magnificent addition to any collector’s cellar, L’Apparita is one of Italy’s most remarkable and sought-after wines. Castello di Ama is widely considered Chianti’s leading producer thanks to this 100% Merlot which sent shockwaves through the local winemaking community when it was first produced in 1985. It wasn’t until 1992 that the producer achieved international fame when their 1987 L’Apparita beat Pétrus 1988 and Le Pin at a blind tasting organised by the Académie du Vin in Switzerland.

L’Apparita begins life in two superb parcels located 450 metres above sea level at the top of the estate’s Bellavista vineyard which are planted on clay soils. Conditions here are ideal for producing excellent Merlot thanks to the cooler nights and warm sunny days during summer which preserve freshness and aromatics while ensuring optimum ripeness. Following the harvest and vinification the young wine is matured in oak barrels for 14 months.

The result is a majestic Merlot that will respond well to at least another decade and a half of cellaring. The generous full body, rigid tannins and powerful structure will help it to age gracefully and the luscious dark fruit flavours will transform over time as hints of leather, tobacco leaf and dried fruit come to the fore. For those who do wish to enjoy it now, this hearty Merlot is a great match for rich red meat dishes like a fine steak or beef stew.