Castello di Ama, 'h' Cabernet Franc, 2023
Castello di Ama, 'h' Cabernet Franc, 2023
- 75cl
- 13.5%
- Red Still
- Cabernet Franc
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Optimal drinking window: 2027 - 2038
Est. delivery in winter, 2026
If L'Apparita is the Pomerol of the Ama estate, 'H' is their Cheval Blanc: a pure Cabernet Franc, Ama's first ever, created exclusively for Honest Grapes Club Members. (Syndicate Members enjoy all the bells and whistles: a personalised back label, tour and tasting for two at the marvellous estate, plus 20% off the restaurant and villa suites.)
In 2023, winemaker Marco Pallanti identified the Cabernet Franc from the prestigious Montebuoni vineyard as something altogether distinctive. Knowing our passion for Italian Cabernet Franc and special barrel projects, Lorenza was delighted to suggest collaborating with us. Will 'H' ever be made again, or is 2023 a one-off destined to become a rarity? Either way, this is a rare opportunity to own a unique, storied wine from one of the world's great producers.
The Ama estate sits in the high hills of Gaiole in Chianti, among the cooler, more elevated zones of the Chianti Classico DOCG, at altitudes ranging from around 450 to 550 metres. The soils here are predominantly galestro — the friable, schist-like Tuscan rock that drains brilliantly and stresses vines into concentration — alongside alberese, the harder clay-limestone that adds structure and grip. That combination of altitude and stony soils is what keeps the wines fresh despite Tuscany's warm summers, and it is precisely what makes the Cabernet Franc feel so lifted rather than heavy.
Chianti Classico sits at the heart of Tuscany between Florence and Siena, and is broadly the most respected of all Chianti's sub-zones. The DOCG rules require a minimum of 80% Sangiovese, but permit other varieties in blends — and single-varietal wines like this Cabernet Franc exist outside the main classification structure, typically labelled as IGT Toscana. That flexibility has historically been the escape route for Tuscany's most ambitious winemakers, going back to the original Super Tuscans of the 1980s, and it remains the category where producers experiment most freely.
The 2023 vintage in Tuscany delivered precisely what nobody expected after a challenging start. Spring brought excessive rainfall that had growers fretting about disease pressure, whilst a scorching July tested even the most experienced vignerons. Yet August's return to more moderate temperatures, combined with crucial diurnal temperature swings, allowed the vines to regain their composure just when it mattered most. The harvest stretched longer than usual, with producers able to pick at optimal ripeness rather than racing against the clock.
What emerged from the cellars shows Tuscany's remarkable ability to transform adversity into opportunity. The Sangiovese displays a freshness we haven't seen in recent warm years, with that characteristic cherry brightness sitting beautifully alongside more structured tannins. Super Tuscans from the coast fared particularly well, where maritime influences helped moderate the summer extremes. These aren't blockbuster wines built for decades of cellaring, but rather Tuscan reds with an approachable charm that makes them dangerously drinkable now whilst still having the backbone to reward five to eight years of patience.
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