“Vigna L’Apparita” Merlot Toscana IGT 2022

Castello di Ama | Tuscany
Castello di Ama s.r.l. s.a. | Loc. Ama | IT 53013 Gaiole in Chianti

09342322 · 0,75 l · 332,00 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping< 24 units available
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From the highest point of the plot, the tower of Siena's Palazzo Pubblico appears on the horizon – a sight that gave this vineyard its name: L'Apparita. A poetic coincidence of the landscape became the name of a wine that made its debut in 1985 as Tuscany's first single-varietal Merlot. The story begins with Marco Pallanti, who arrived in Ama in 1982 and spent his early years working alongside Patrick Léon, then chief oenologist at Château Mouton Rothschild. This encounter shaped Pallanti's entire career – a passion for French precision, applied to the Tuscan terroir. Between 1982 and 1985, he planted Merlot clone 342 on two plots at the top of the Bellavista vineyard, just under three hectares, at an altitude of 501 metres, with the rows running north-south and trained in the open lyre style. The soil is predominantly clay with a limestone component – a combination that lends the wine freshness and elegance. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel and barriques, half in new oak and half in second-use barrels, over a period of 15 months.

A bright, elegant ruby red with a lighter rim. The bouquet is initially reserved and delicate, characterised by stony, mineral notes, dark fruit in the background and a hint of graphite; after some aeration, black berries, leather, spices, menthol and sage come to the fore. On the palate, it is powerful and full of energy, with the fruit still holding back, firm and grippy tannins, and a final characterised by a stony texture and lively acidity – a young, muscular L'Apparita that requires time in the cellar to reveal its full potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"A deep, dark, almost black ruby red. On the nose, wonderful black berry fruit, slightly stony, smoky, complex and deep. On the palate, it has plenty of power and intensity, initially with rich fruit and a velvety texture; the finish reveals young tannins and it will benefit from a little more ageing." Falstaff

"It is impossible to overstate the historic significance of this wine. First made in 1985, it is the brainchild of agronomist and winemaker Marco Pallanti, who joined the estate in 1982 and immediately put it on a quality trajectory. L'Apparita is described as the first purebred Merlot produced in Tuscany, and the wine is revolutionary precisely because it represents an alternative in a land where Sangiovese is king. Fruit comes from a dedicated single parcel on calcareous soils that have many stones that serve to insulate the roots and lock in freshness. The Castello di Ama 2022 L'Apparita offers lush concentration and a seamless nature. It is bold and black with spice, dried blackberry and blackcurrant. You also get hints of fragrant lavender bud. The mouthfeel is rich and long-lasting. This is a beautiful Merlot that is generous, but markedly elegant nonetheless." Wine Advocate

"The 2022 L'Apparita is impressive, but it is also very, very young. Dark and virile, L'Apparita is going to need quite a few years to come into its own. Today, L'Apparita is all brawn and muscle. Black fruit, graphite, leather, spice, menthol, and sage start to emerge with a bit of time in the glass. Even so, the 2022 is an absolute infant. L'Apparita is often showy when it is young, but that does not apply to the 2022." Vinous

"Black olives, blackberries, crushed stones and bark on the nose. Medium-bodied with solid tannins that are polished and lightly chewy and a long finish. The dark fruit and mushrooms come through clearly at the end." James Suckling