“Vigneto La Casuccia” Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2020

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

09342620 · 0,75 l · 332,00 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping< 24 units available

Two kilometres north of the medieval village of Ama, stone terrace walls rise up like silent witnesses to a time when human hands began to shape nature. Here, where the rows of vines follow the course of the sun in a perfect north-south orientation, lies the origin of one of Tuscany's most mysterious wines. La Casuccia – a name that comes from a small house that once stood among the vines and today lends its name to one of Italy's most extraordinary Gran Selezione. It was Marco Pallanti who, with scientific precision and intuitive intuition, identified those parcels of land that possessed exceptional soils and microclimates. The first vintage of La Casuccia was produced in 1985 – a visionary cuvée from three separate parcels of Sangiovese and Merlot, which was the first of its kind to lay the foundations for the cru concept in Chianti Classico.

The vineyard itself is a work of art of geometry and respect for the terroir. 16.1 hectares stretch between 483 and 527 metres above sea level, divided into nine carefully terraced plots separated by stone walls. This terracing was no coincidence – it was devised to optimise exposure and ensure even ripening. The soil, a mosaic of clay and limestone interspersed with countless stones, gives the wine its characteristic minerality and structure.

The full complexity of this terroir is revealed in the glass: an intense ruby red colour with youthful purple reflections heralds the power of the 2020 vintage. The nose opens with a fascinating interplay of cloves, cardamom and liquorice, underpinned by dark berries and a hint of mint. A sensual fullness unfolds on the palate – round and supple, but with an energy that testifies to the wine's youth. Fine-meshed tannins envelop rich, dark berry fruit, while a very long finish is carried by chocolate and balsamic notes. A wine for collectors and dreamers alike, which will reveal its full splendour over the coming decades. SUPERIORE.DE

"The wine is dark and concentrated in this vintage with beautiful tones of ripe blackberry, baked plum, sweet earth and black rose. It has all the classic flavours of the grape variety, only in this case they are delivered with more power and vigour thanks to the warm and sunny growing season. This vintage remains somewhat more accessible overall." Wine Advocate

"Dark, noble ruby red with a subtly brightening rim. Nose of black bread crust, butter biscuits, delicate vanilla, then rich dark berry fruit, precious wood. Powerful on the palate, very juicy, appears cool and fruity, with tightly woven tannins, deep, long, juicy and fresh on the final." Falstaff

"Flavours of plum, blackberry and earth show hints of caramel in this soft, muscular red wine framed by toasted oak. It feels fluid and open until the dense, powerful tannins make their presence felt on the finish. Persistent and fresh, with a long aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"Ripe blue plums and blackberries are accompanied by smoke and toasted oak. Although this wine is rounder than the Bellavista, it does not lack structure: the dense fruit core is well-padded with fleshy, broad tannins that show assertive muscle. Bay leaves and tobacco lend the wine a spicy note that is underpinned by stony minerals." Decanter

"It is beautiful and decadent with notes of ripe red and dark berries with sweet spices, bark and a hint of dried leaves. Full-bodied and dense with finely polished and compact tannins that run the length of the wine. Long and firm with a granite-like presence on the finish." James Suckling

"The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto La Casuccia is normally a sensual wine, but it's a powerhouse. That's probably a good thing for its long-term aging prospects, but harvestwill have to be patient. Intense spicy and mineral notes give the 2020 enormous complexity. Even in this warm year, the 2020 is not opulent, but it is packed with tremendous intensity and pure power. The toasty fruit of the Sangiovese will emerge with time, but the 2020 will require a certain amount of patience." Vinous