Castello di Ama, L'Apparita, 2021 - Magnum
Castello di Ama, L'Apparita, 2021 - Magnum
- 150cl
- 13.5%
- Red Still
- Merlot
Couldn't load pickup availability
Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2048
Est. delivery in winter, 2026
Lorenza and Marco Pallanti of Castello di Ama have been making wines in Tuscany since the 1970’s situated around the hamlet of Alma, which perches at 450-550 metres above sea level. Regarded for their elegance and freshness, allied to their natural intensity and depth, Castello di Alma has, as Galloni states, “crafted some of the most riveting wines in Tuscany... simply put, there are few estates in Italy at this level.”
Decades ahead of their time, they installed temperature-controlled vats, allowing for plot-by-plot vinification. If you want an idea of just how far ahead, most of the Bordelais have only just completed their own such renovations! Pioneers in not only in their winemaking technique, though also with what they planted. The core Chianti Classico is comprised only of traditional grapes, though the remainder of the range incorporates Bordeaux varieties to some extent, with their famed l’Apparita being the first 100% Merlot wine made in Tuscany.
What the critics say:
"The 2021 L'Apparita is sublime. A wine of compelling inner perfume and exotic richness, the 2021 is shaping up to be one of the great L'Apparitas. Inky dark fruit, espresso, licorice, lavender and crushed rocks abound in a towering, statuesque wine that will absolutely thrill those lucky enough to own it. It perfectly embodies all the greatest qualities of this historic vintage."
L'Apparita comes from a single 6.5-hectare vineyard planted exclusively to Merlot at 450-500 metres elevation in the Chianti Classico zone. The soils are classic galestro and alberese - crumbly marl and limestone that provide excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture for the vines. The elevation and exposure create ideal conditions for Merlot, allowing slow ripening and the development of complex aromatics while maintaining natural acidity and structure.
While L'Apparita carries the broader Toscana IGT designation rather than Chianti Classico DOCG, this reflects its status as a Super Tuscan - a wine that prioritises quality and expression over adherence to traditional regulations. The Toscana IGT allows producers the freedom to plant international varieties like Merlot and use modern winemaking techniques. This flexibility has enabled some of Italy's most celebrated wines, though they sacrifice the prestige of traditional appellations for creative liberty.
Tuscany's 2021 growing season began with a soggy spring that had growers muttering into their espressos, followed by a summer that swung between scorching heat and welcome August rains. The real drama came at harvest time when many producers had to pick fast and choose wisely, dancing around September downpours that separated the meticulous from the merely hopeful. Those who waited too long paid the price, but the estates that timed it right caught fruit with lovely ripeness and crucially intact acidity.
What emerged feels like Tuscany with its shirt sleeves rolled up — wines that are more approachable and less brooding than the powerhouse vintages we've grown used to. The Sangiovese shows bright red fruit and genuine charm rather than the dense, muscular character of recent years, whilst the international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot retained surprising freshness despite the heat. We're finding these wines drink beautifully now with a few years of bottle age, though the best Chiantis and Super Tuscans will happily cellar for another decade if you can resist them that long.
-
-
Speak to one of our Wine Gurus
Speak to a Wine GuruWith years of experience, our team can help you with all your wine buying and selling needs